PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS.

HIGHER PAYMENTS. THREE-YEAR SCHEME. £17,500,000 EXPENDITURE. AGREEMENT WITH MEN. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The expenditure of £17,500,000 on a three years' programme of national works; a basic rate of pay for labourers fixed at 10/ a day with equality for all single and married men; the introduction of a five-day week of 40 hours; abolition of relief works and a declaration that all public works are to be declared standard works; the granting of five days' annual leave 011 full pay to men with one year's service and 10 days 011 full pay to men with two years' service or over, together with payment for seven statutory holidays each year; and improved accommodation and recreation facilities were features of announcements made by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, in the House of Representatives this evening. The Minister also tabled a copy of an agreement recently completed between the Government and the Public Works

employees. "A more vigorous public, works programme is one of the main planks of the Government's policy," said Mr. Semple. "My investigations have indicated that in the past there has been 110 particularly well-defined public works policy. It is only fair to the Department that its officers should know the Government's mind and, further, it is only right that a policy 'involving the country in millions of pounds of expenditure should be along sound, welldefined and definite lines. My effort lias been to lay down such a policy. Since I assumed office as Minister of Public Works, I have given much consideration to those works which, while being capable of alisorbing large numbers of men, will give the greatest and readiest return to the State.

New Plant Needed. "On assuming office I found conditions in the Public Works Department to be not altogether satisfactory, although 1 do not blame Departmental officers for this. As a result of the relief work system adopted by the late Government during the last few years men employed by the Department had not been given any inducement to work properly. Stoppages of work were occurring in many places and discontent existed on a great number of works. I found the Department to be practically depleted of effective and up-to-date plant. The result to-day is that before an energetic programme of public works can be initiated many thousands of pounds will have to be spent in the purchase of new and up-to-date machinery. I "The position then existing could not be tolerated, and I immediately took steps which have already resulted in some improvement from the point of view of both the administration and workmen. The effect of these concessions is apparent in a better feeling on the works. A more reasonable return for their earnings is already being received from the men and I am satisfied that a greater output of work has been the result. "It became apparent to me at an early date that for the efficient functioning of a Department of this nature a planned programme of work over a period of years was essential. My engineers were instructed to make a careful selection of all possible works, taking them in thenorder of urgency and importance over, firstly, a three-year period, and, secondly, over a longer period. The programme already decided upon, comprising a three years' scheme, will involve the expenditure of approximately £17,500,000, and includes roading, bridging, irrigation, aerodrome construction, completion of certain railways, river protection works, drainage schemes, sand dune reclamation, elimination of dangerous railway crossings, electric power works, and the erection of public buildings. Control of Main Roads. "A feature of this programme will be extensive activity in roading and bi idging in backblock areas, and it will bo mv endeavour to provide more reasonable access to all back-country settlers. My visits of inspection to various parts of the country have convinced me of the necessity for control of the main arterial roading system being under one administration, and I propose shortly to introduce a bill which will give effect to this. As a first step some 4000 miles of main highways, comprising main traffic routes only, will be placed under the sole control of the Main Highways Board and administered as State highways.

"By this means it will be possible to bring about a uniformity of construction, maintenance and control. The Main Highways Board is at present preparing a planned programme of work covering a three-year period and it is proposed to give the board a cei tain definite income based on a greater contribution from the petrol tax revenue. At present only about 4d of the 10d petrol tax is expended on roads. No increase in the present tax is proposed. By means of this bill the dictation of the Main Hiahways Board's policy will become the function of the Government through the Minister in charge of the board."