PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 252, 23 October 1919, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS.

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS OUTLINED IN STATEMENT. ~ jp OVER £3,000,000 ALLOCATED. I RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION ° RESUMED. „ KO NEW UNDERTAKINGS. '< (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) j WELUXGTON, this day. The Public Works statement to be J presented to-day by Sir Wm. Fraser will contain no remarkable features, for the r reason that the main problem has over- t shadowed the position, and the Minister a expresses the opinion that the spending \ 'authority provided will not by any I I means be fully utilised while the present £ shortage of labour continues. s There has been a substantial increase ( in the number of men engaged on public works this year, and the Minister hopes to make further additions, his total requirement being 1500 more men. i According to the financial statement ' the money available its the current j year for public works is £3,025,689, but this is an understatement, as the Minis- < ter for Public Works will show a total amount in excess of three and a half ' millions. Provision for roads and bridges this year constitutes a record, and although the Minister of Public Works has kept hi.s estimates a close secret, it is understood that these grants generally will be. cause for satisfaction, as they constitute a record. The 1 only set-off to this excellent feature of the statement will be frank admission by the Minister that the spending authority is hardly likely to be exhausted. XEED FOR IMMIGRATION. He again refers to the necessity for encouraging immigration, pointing out ithat, owing to the war losses and sus- ! ponded immigration, the natural increase jin the number of workers only placce 'the Dominion in the position reached prior to the war. j RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION. I The railways development policy in- | dicated is to resume construction on all lines where work was suspended during the war, but not to start fresh under- ! takings which would dissipate the j country's supply of labour and prevent jtiny substantial progress, j WATER POWER DEVELOPMENT. j Regarding water power development, ! the statement refers to the purchase of the Horahora undertaking, but fails to | reveal the price.to be charged to local j authorities for current, this being a I matter which will have to be investigated during the recess. Provision is' made for active development of the Arapuni and Mangahoe schemes in the North Island. It is intended to secure authority to borrow the whole amount necessary to complete these works. It is not proposed to establish a hydroelectric board of control until these undertakings are more forward. PUBLIC BUILDING. The public building programme is small, the Minister being of opinion ' that housing should come first. Provision must, however, be made for school buildings, and the amount indicated in the statement is the only portion now avail- [ able this year, the remainder coming J from a special loan.