Stories
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from the Fletcher archives
Sir James I recalls some of his time as Commissioner of Defence
20th January, 1960
Early in February 1942 I received a telephone call from the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the late Peter Fraser, asking if I could go to Wellington by plane next morning as there was an important matter he wished to discuss with me. When I met Mr Fraser I was astonished when he asked me if I would be prepared to take over the direction of all works not only connected with the war, but all building during the war period. He said it was imperative that someone should undertake the job of co-ordinating all defence works and also control of building generally. As a result of our talk I was appointed Commissioner of Defence Construction and my appointment was duly gazetted on the 8th July.
In discussing the question of hours of work and remuneration, the Prime Minister and War Cabinet accepted a suggestion made by me that the hours to be worked would be 54 per week and that a standard rate would be paid for all tradesmen and laborers and that rate should include overtime. The gazetting of these rates of wages caused a certain amount of feeling, particularly among the Unions concerned, but the advantages of such a system were soon realized. By the standardization of a uniform rate per hour builders could accurately compute their labour costs, and as the man-power regulations had been in force for some time, they provided for certain conditions where men were working away from their home towns.
At the time of my appointment a considerable amount of work was actually in hand, particularly for the Army and Air Force, but from the confidential information which was given to me by the Prime Minister I found that the main task coming up wad to be the housing of a large number of personnel from the United States’ Navy, Army and Air Force, but form the confidential information which was given to me by the Prime Minister I found that the main task coming up was to be the housing of a large number of personnel from the United States Navy, Army and Air Force. At the time no figures were mentioned, although form the information the Prime Minister had received, it was considered that a very large force would be coming to New Zealand almost immediately and that New Zealand was going to be used as a base by Admiral Halsey for Pacific offensive. The Government Architect, R. A. Patterson, was extremely co-operative and as a result we had completed within a few days plans of standard units for huts, ablution blocks, kitchen and messing facilities, stores and recreational buildings.
We then learned that, within a period of 8 weeks, 16,000 men would arrive in New Zealand. Prior to this, sites had been determined for the camps and contracts for the prefabrication of all the necessary buildings were placed in every town in the South Island. The Wellington Harbour Board released the Aotea Quay for marshalling yards and the Union Company did a wonderful job of work transporting the prefabricated sections from Bluff, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru and Christchurch.
It was perfectly obvious that we had to depart from all old preconceived principles, and a system of operating under a ‘Master Schedule’ was decided upon. A decision had to be made on the best means of getting the maximum results from labour, and after consultation with a committee of the builders it was decided to set up Allocation Committees. These committees had to appoint the chief builder and all the necessary labour would be manpowered to ensure that the work was carried through in the requisite time. By adopting this system we did not destroy the small builder, because whether he had one man or 10 men every small builder received his percentage of profit and the master builder who was in overall charge received an additional percentage to cover his overheads. There is not the slightest doubt that this system of the Master Schedule was a first class training ground for many small builders, and resulted in raising the efficiency of many who are among many of the larger contractors today.
Some remarkable construction achievements were recorded - the big Mackays Crossing Camp for 16,000 men, built in 8 weeks, was one of them.
Camps followed right through the North Island, all were built under the Master Schedule plan. In addition to camps, major contracts were undertaken for extensions to existing hospitals - particularly Lower Hutt, Blenheim, Palmerston North and Wellington.
New hospitals were built at Silverstream, Avondale, Middlemore and One Tree Hill, and race course grandstands in Auckland and Wellington were converted into emergency hospitals. Avondale hospital was planned and built with a view to conversion into three schools and today it is probably the finest school buildings in New Zealand. Many hospitals were built, and here again, through careful planning, we ultimately converted into flats - with a very considerable financial saving to the country. The warehouses that were erected - particularly for the Americans - again have served a post-war use as factory buildings and Government stores. Such buildings as Sylvia Park and Camp Bunn are still giving good service to the country. At the same time as this work was going on extensions to the tanneries and freezing works, factories for ammunitions and such factories as Watties’ at Hastings, all were built on the Master Schedule plan.
A job willingly undertaken and succesfully completed
DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND
PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE,
WELLINGTON
16th December
Dear Mr. Fletcher,
I have received with much regret your letter asking to be relieved of your duties as Commissioner of Defence Construction and Commissioner of Works as from 31st December. As you pointed out the possibility of invasion is now happily remote, Defence construction is to all intents and purposes complete, and the foundations of Ministry of Works have been laid. I agree with you that the way has now been prepared for the appointment of a permanent Commissioner of Works, and I respect your desire that the appointment of a person other than yourself should be made.
When in February 1942 I asked you to undertake complete control of the defence construction in New Zealand, I realised that the task was one of great magnitude. The threat of invasion by Japan called for building, fortifications, aerodromes and engineering works on a scale that seemed entirely beyond the capacity of the country. I recognised the fact, and the War Cabinet fully agreed, that you were the one man in New Zealand we knew who was capable of so organising the depleted resources of manpower and material as to enable the country to provide for its adequate defence. I am delighted to be able to state that this confidence was not misplaced.
Superimposed on this vast programme was the demand for accommodation of all types - barrack, camp, hospital, store and magazine for the United States Forces. This called for an expansion of building and engineering to an extent never contemplated. The fact that the organisation set up by you functioned in a manner which enables every demand by New Zealand and United States forces to be met promptly and satisfactorily is in itself the greatest tribute that could be paid to your outstanding executive ability, enthusiasm and driving force.
Only when it is realised that in addition to a programme of civilian works aggregating several million pounds you also organised the supply of buildings and services to the value of nearly £30,000,000 can the magnitude of the task you have accomplished be appreciated.
When in November 1942 the British and United States Governments submitted vast proposals for the building of ships in New Zealand, again it appeared that the requests could not be met. Your appointment, however as Controller of Shipbuilding, resulted in the acceptance of orders for ships exceeding 35,000,000 in value. The expressions of appreciation received from the various authorities for whom these vessels have been completed are a further testimony to the work you have done. I am pleased that you have signified your willingness to retain your post as Controller to enable this programme, including now urgent orders from the British Government for the Indian theatre to be completed.
The planning and organisation of the ministry of Works, which undoubtedly will play a most important part in New Zealand’s post-war progress, will stand as a monument to your executive ability. Furthermore, it is recognised that the building of large numbers of houses during the war years has been made possible largely by your foresight and energy.
I am not unmindful of the fact that your services have during the entire period been made available to the State at a great personal sacrifice of time and money and that you have carried out this work without any financial reward and at a very considerable personal sacrifice accepting only bare transportation expenses. I wish to express to you my personal appreciation, and, as Prime Minister, to place on record the country’s indebtedness to you for a job willingly undertaken and successfully completed.
Yours faithfully,
P. Fraser.
James Fletcher, Esq.,
Commissioner of Defence Construction,
WELLINGTON
'Please check quantities'
Early in March 1942, James was established with a secretary in Brandon House, Wellington, pending the fitting out of offices in the Stout Street administration building, on the seventh floor. He was determined that as, Commissioner of Defence Construction, he would not become a “rubber stamp�, but knew also that he had to win many people over to co-operate with him for effective action. If he was looking for a trial of strength, it was not long in coming.
Air Marshal Goddard was chief of the Air Staff. He may have been an able administrator, but James found him arrogant and not easy to deal with. The first memorandum James received in his temporary office was from the Air Force, a requisition for wire netting with which to make camouflaged air craft pens. He looked at the quantities requisitioned and sent a note back by messenger asking that the figures be checked, and how many pens were to be built.
The response was a peremptory note from Goddard himself instructing James to issue the order as the material was wanted urgently. It did not matter how many pens were to be built; Goddard’s staff was competent to decide.
This time James turned over a corner of the note and wrote: 'Please check quantities.'
There was a quick reaction - a hasty step outside, and the air marshal entered. James’s office was so small that, whenever there was a visitor, his secretary had to move out. There seemed even less room than usual when the visitor was a very angry air marshal.
'Fletcher,' he said, 'this is either your head or mine.'
'It could be yours,' James said evenly, 'but it can’t be mine because I’m not even on payroll. And looking at the pile of stuff coming in on me I think I’ve taken on a job that’s going to take some doing. So if you can get my head chopped off that will be all right. But why don’t you do this: Send around the fellow who has taken out the quantities and we’ll talk about it.'
But no officer came to see him. Instead, there was another note: 'I regret that, owing to a typing error, the quantity of wire netting should read 200,000 yards, not 200,000,000.'
“After that,� Sir James recalls, “Mr Goddard was calmed down for a little while. “