RIVER CONTROL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 253, 7 August 1941, Page 6

RIVER CONTROL

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. LEGISLATION BEING DRAFTED IMPORTANT RECOMMENIDATIONS. (So.) WELLINGTON, August 6. “The question of legislation to provide comprehensive measures for river control throughout the Dominion has received further consideration, says the Public Works Statement. Draft proposals were prepared by my department, which expressed the view that the important matter of soil conservation should be dealt with in conjunction with river control. In March last this House appointed a Select Committee to inquire into and report upon such questions relating to the. protection of property from damage by floods and erosion and to the control of rivers generally as might be referred to it by the Government, and the departments draft proposals have been under examination by that committee. The committee has received and considered representations made by local authorities and other interested parties and has submitted important recommendations to the Government. As a result of these recommendations legislation is being drafted for submission to honourable members. It is realised that after the war a large number of men will he returning from overseas service who will not be able to ‘resume immediately their former occupations or who will require to be specially trained in vocations best suited to their individual circumstances. In the- interim other work may have to be provided for some of these men, and with this object in view careful consideration is being given to the selection of national development works where they could be employed pending their rehabilitation ill normal civil occupations.

A comprehensive schedule of important post-war projects has .been compiled, including provision for flood control and soil conservation measures, the improvement of access and transport facilities, and the resumption of construction programmes which have been suspended during the year.