PLAYING WITH BARROWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 24, 28 January 1921, Page 9

PLAYING WITH BARROWS.

WOT WAY TO BUILD RAILWAYS VIGOROUS METHODS NEEDKD (By Telegraph.—iSpeeial to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Speaking at a banquet at Kaikoura on Wednesday the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister uf Public Works) said that a vigorous and progressive public works policy was necessary for the country. That again depended ou the amount of money available. The war had left them with a leeway of six years X° make up, and many new works of urgency. One of the most urgent wants was proper financial assistance for local bodies, to enable them to carry out necessary schemes. Then there were railways, telegraphs and hydro electricity, a!': demanding money. Public money -hould toe expended judiciously, and economy should be practiced oval! sides. That was particularly imperative just now. There must be no parochial or silly sentiment, or setting of North against South.

It was not worth while starting to construct any new railway line, road or electrical scheme unless they had labour, material and money to complete the work. He did not believe iv having forty or fifty men playing about with wheelbarrows on such* work as the South Island Main Trunk.

Another point was the provision of proper housing accommodation for men sent out to any job. The day of the tent was over. He believed in the contract system, but there were cooperative works for men who wanted them. However, the majority of the men preferred to work on contract. It gave them initiative, and allowed tlicm to earn big money.

In regard to hydro electricity, he hoped that when power boards were formed they would be large, so as to be sound financially.

On the post and telegraph side, Mr. Morris had lately been in Canada investigating mail delivery systems for rural districts, and probably a new scheme would be undertaken to cater for the backblocks of Xew Zealand. He wanted to see telephones extended to everyone at a minimum cost, but the department was without sufficient insulators, wire and poles, though in his case the money was ready. The demand at present ran into ten thousand miles of aerial wire, which had to be bought in hand to mouth fashion. Other material was now coming to hand in larger quantities, and it was hoped this year to beat last year's record for telephone connections. Mr. G. W. Forbes, M.P., said the visit of Mr Coates was notable because he was the youngest member of the Cabinet, because he was recognised as a capable and progressive man, and because he had broken records by riding a hundred miles over rough country to see works his department was interested in. ~