PUBLIC WORKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 18 May 1938, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS

RECENT CRITICISM OF OUTLAY. MR SEMPLE IN REPLY. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Alay 17. The activities of the Public AVorks Department under the Labour Government were reviewed by the Aiinister in Charge (the Hon. R. Semple), in an address at Otahuliu last night. The Orpheus Theatre was filled to overflowing, ‘and the loud-speaker system was utilised to enable those outside to hear the Aiinister. Replying to the criticism of expenditure on public works which had been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton), the Aiinister said the logical trend of criticism would be to put scarifiers over highways and transform them into potholes and surfaces that would prevent traffic from moving with reasonable speed. “Our policy is to give the maximum degree of efficiency on our highways, at the minimum cost of human life,” he continued. In spite of all criticism the fact remained that N'ew Zealand was the only country in the world that showed a progressive increase in the number of motor cars on the road with a steady reduction in the number of fatalities from road accidents.

In a tour of the Dominion, after assuming office, he found that 13,000 back-country farmers were literally i stuck in the mud for want of roads. His five-year plan was- designed to construct 6000 miles of roads for hackblock settlers, and already 1400 miles had been metalled. At the present rate of progress he estimated that the work would be completed in three years. “The condition of public works when I took up office resembled a hobo’s dungarees,” lie remarked, adding that there had been tinkering without any constructive planning under the former Government. The Opposition had said that there was too much being done on public works—that they should be reserved for slump periods. “That is their philosophy—wait for a slump!” The Aiinister proceeded to trenchantly criticise the last administration of public works. “If I had a political record of that sort,” lie continued, “I should be afraid to meet the taxpayers, far less condemn or criticise any Government for what it is doing.” At the end of his term of office, he would he prepared to place his record of work before any tribunal of competent engineers and abide by their judgment.

“I don’t object to' criticism; I can take knocks, and hit back, but I have no time for the character assassin and the poison-dropper,” said Air Semple, in referring to allegations made against his administration of the Department. “If I cannot get into Parliament by any other way than that, then I’ll be well content to stay outside.”

A film showing the methods and machinery employed on public works was screened to a commentary by the Aiinister.

A resolution expressing appreciation of the able administration of the Department by the Aiinister was carried with cheers.