"STEPPING ON IT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 298, 17 December 1935, Page 10

"STEPPING ON IT."

'GOVERNMENT POLICY. PUBLIC WORKS PROGRESS. MB. SEMFLE'S ASSURANCE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NAPIER, this day. Government policy in two important fields—public works and transport— was intimated by the Minister in charge of those two Departments, Mr., Semple, in the course of his replies to deputations which waited on him during his visit to Xapier. It was Mr. Semple's first official visit to any district since he took office and apart from dealing specifically with local issues which were brought before his notice he discussed in terms of national importance a number of subjects which will he within his province in the next few years.

"The days for talk ceased on the last night before the election —the days of the future are for action, not talk. We have received a mandate from the people to do things and we intend to use that mandate to the full," said Mr. Semple, in replying to a civic reception which was accorded him.

Mr. Semple added that as .lioad of the Public Works Departments—one of the "building" Departments of the State—he was satisfied that there were many big tasks ahead which would advance New Zealand still further beyond the achievements of the past 00 years. "During the past few years New Zealand has been stagnating instead of going ahead," he said. "We realise that we have got to 'step on it' and start, the Dominion's progress again. In carrying out our "programmes we will strive to reach a high state of efficiency; We will plan our work ahead and will give to those who do the work a decent reward for their labours. We will, however, expect a decent return for the reward which we give. There will be no malingering or scrounging on the job. I say that definitely. The man who thinks that he is going to take advantage of the Labour Government to malinger is living in a fool's paradise. Fuller use of enterprise and initiative on the part of the Department's staff was forecast by Mr. Semple. Under his administration, he said, the staff would be given the opportunity of developing their ideas and of expressing them in concrete form. "In the past they have been hamstrung and padlocks have been applied to their lips. There will be none of that in the future. We want a nation of builders, repairers and creators. We are a team of triers and personally I am prepared not to rust out but to wear out in trying to do the job.".