PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 21, 4 November 1938, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

EXPENDITURE DEEMED TO BE EXCESSIVE. CHAMBERS OF -COMMERCE VIEWS. d (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 3. Various aspects of the Government’s public works policy were the subject of criticism by, speakers representing several centres at the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-night. Two remits on the subject, from Dunedin and Auckland respectively., were considered and adopted after long discussion. Tho Dunedin remit urged that Government expenditure on public works should be directed into reproductive channels, with particular reference to increasing the country’s agricultural and pastoral production. While recognising the desirability of good roads and railways, those supporting the remit contended that more attention should he given to developing the real exportable wealth of the Dominion. Irrigation, draining, and swamp settlement were quoted as projects deserving of greater expenditure in order to achieve the end proposed. The opinion that the present public works expenditure was „ excessive, and that more of the capital works should be reserved for a time of lower export prices .was expressed in the Auckland remit. The mover; Air A. M. Seaman, said it was during a period of prosperity that there was the greatest incentive to growth, of industrial production, and for the essaying of ventures new to the Dominion. “By such means,” he added, “substantial new employment is provided, and much of the expansion £l?id consequent employment will persevere, even in the following depression. For this reason, every encouragement to such expansion should be during prosperous times, so that the rigours of tho later depressions mar be allayed.”

CANTERBURY EMPLOYEES. GRAND TOTAL OF 2858 AIF.N. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The numbed - of men employed by the Public Works Department on various works in Canterbury at the present time was given by Air Lnnghoin (District Engineer) ns follows: — Assisted from Unemployment Promotion Fund ... ... 1098 South Island Alain Trunk (southern section) ... ... 477 Special works % •'•'> Irrigation ... ... ... 299 Alain highways ... .. 242 General works ... ... L3O Roads ... Aerodromes 52 Buildings " ••• 47 Land improvement 6 Total 2858