Sessional_Paper_1946 — Page 13

(xi) It is unlikely that the quantity of materials which, under the best condi- tions can be imported into the Colony during 1946 will enable new construction to be undertaken on any but the smallest scale. (Appendix 13, section 9).

(xii) Due to shortage of certain critical materials, especially timber, glass, plumbing and sanitary fitting, a control by Government is necessary to prevent their diversion to non-essential uses. (Appendix 14, section 4).

(xiii) Local production of building materials should be encouraged and assisted.

(Appendix 10).

Shortage of Qualified Personnel.

(xiv) The existing resources of the Colony in qualified technical, architectural and civil engineering personnel, both in the Government and in private practice, are inadequate to undertake the reconstruction programme envisaged, and no opportunity of increasing them should be neglected. (Appendix 13, section 10). In this connection Government should arrange priority passages back to the Colony both for Government officials and members of private firms.

Shortage of Transport.

(xv) There is a serious shortage of vehicles needed for the transportation of per-

sonnel and materials.

Housing Finance,

(xvi) Except by the Administration, little reconstruction work has been under- taken, owing chiefly to the high cost of materials and labour, and the Rents Ordinance which prevents property-owners from increasing rents although building costs have risen very considerably.

(xvii) The present high cost of building is due to-

(a) Shortage of materials.

(b) High wages for labour.

The remedy lies in the importation of building materials in adequate quantities and reduction in the cost of living.

(xviii) The lifting of rent restrictive legislation at the present time would increase the high cost of living and aggravate the existing tendency towards inflation. (Appendix 10).

(xix) The majority of property-owners will not undertake repair or rebuilding work so long as costs of materials and labour remain high, unless Government assistance in the form of a subsidy is granted to them.

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(xx) Finance alone, without the immediate prospect of obtaining materials, would be insufficient. "Easy money combined with lack of materials would push prices up and the tendency towards general inflation would become marked. (Appendix 10).

(xxi) The cost of reconstruction should be borne by the community as a whole

and not only by the owners of damaged and destroyed property. (xxii) In order to spread the cost over a period of years, any subsidy should be repaid out of taxation, but care must be taken that the cost does not fall on the poorer classes.

(xxiii) European type accommodation has suffered proportionately far more damage than Chinese type accommodation. A subsidy is advocated, but if the cost is to be borne by the community as a whole, great care must be exercised in the apportioning of the subsidy to avoid discrimination between the different classes of the population.

(xxiv) The problem is urgent; speedy decision and action are vital.

8.

IV.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

In view of the foregoing conclusions the Committee recommend--

(i) That adequate building materials be purchased and imported by Government without delay. The importation of transport and building materials of all descriptions is of paramount importance.

No time should be lost in acquiring as much as possible of the surplus stocks of the Australian and U.S. Forces in the Pacific, and the necessary financial facilities should be afforded.