Supply of Building Materials in Palestine before Nakba, British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Supplement - Page 103

B. PIECE RATES. (Jewish labour only)

Occupation

Rate of pay per unit (mils)

Plasterers Whitewashers Painters

Cement brickmakers Floortilers Electricians

m' m' door

1000 bricks m' point

150- 220 22- 28 1800-2000 2700

200 1500-2000 (with materials)

(p. 813) (§ 66)

The result of the increases in wage rates obtained by building operatives has been that total building costs have increased by about 17i% over The figures shown on page 812 of the Survey.

SUPPLY OF BUILDING MATERIALS.

(p. 814) (§ 70)

Supplies of timber for building purposes have been extremely difficult to obtain as timber is a commodity in short supply internationally.

(p. 815)

(§ 72)

The output of cement in Palestine has gone up from 17 ,000 tons per month during 1945 to 23,000 tons per month during 1946 against civil and Services' demands of nearly one and a half times the 1045 output. A quantity of 15,000 tons was imported during 1946. A new plant for the manufacture of Portland Cement with an estimated output of 25 ,000 tons per month is now under construction, which, it is expected, will be completed in 1948. The combined output of the existing and new plants will be sufficient to cover all local demands.

(§ 75) *

Supplies of electric cables and wire have improved considerably as a result of imports of insulated copper wire from the U .R. and Belgium

(p. 816)

(§ 78)

Metals and alloys continue to be scarce. Lead , tin and solder are difficult to obtain and the supply position is not likely to become easier in the near future. The supply position of heavy chemicals is far from satisfactory. Linseed oil stocks are very low and there are very little prospects of any improvement in the near future.

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