PRUNING URGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 176, 26 July 1940, Page 8

PRUNING URGED.

THE P.W.D. ESTIMATES.

OPPOSITION CRITICISM.

UNJUSTIFIED EXPENDITURE.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WTJLLIXGTOX, this day.

tr So justification,'' was the theme of the speeches by Opposition members in the House of Representatives this morning, when the debate on the Public Works statement was commenced. The Minister of Public Works, Mr. Semple, moved the motion that started the debate, but did not epeak to it, and it was left to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, to open the discussion.

Mr. Hamilton was critical of the majority of items of expenditure, his remarks following the lines taken by a number of Opposition speakers during the earlier debates this season. In 1933-34, public works expenditure was £3.500,000, he said. In the first full year of the Labour Government. £10.450,000 was spent, and now, while there was a war, the Government proposed to spend £20,500,000. Xew Zealand well served with public utilities, and it was doubtful if such expenditure could be justified in wartime. The Department had done good work in building military camps under the cnergetic driving force of the Minister, who should now expend the same energy in economising so that the money saved could be turned to the war effort. The Opposition considered that public works expenditure was the most dangerous part of the Government's activities.

Referring to borrowing for Public Works, Mr. Hamilton said interest rates had risen since the Government came into office. Last year the Government had added £19,000,000 to the national debt, and this year £15,000,000 was to be added. On top of the war expenditure that could not be justified. The number of men on public works had been reduced, but when there were 22,000 men in uniform, it could be expected that the reduction should have been much greater. Between defence, public works and those helped by the Employment Fund, there were just on 55,000 men.

Discussing expenditure on main highways, Mr. Hamilton said the Minister should endeavour to get his expenditure into line with income. The income from highways was £3,000.000, and that was a good sum. The Minister should cut down on railway expenditure and public buildings. A com-mittee set up bv the Government in 1936 had reported that the Auckland fruit marts were the best in Xew Zealand, fout the Government was going to expend £100,000 on new marketing buildings in Auckland. He was sure the buildings reported on were good ones. In conclusion. Mr. Hamilton said the Minister should take his estimates back, and reduce them as much as possible. Amendment Moved. Mr. Broadfoot (Xational, Waitonio) moved an amendment that the Public Works Estimates be referred back to the Government for further consideration with a view to effecting substantial reductions in expenditure. Sir Alfred Ransom (Xational, Pahiatua) seconded tlie amendment. Mr. Robertson (Government, Masterton) challenged the members of the Opposition to state what items of expenditure they would cut out in their own electorates. Mr. Holland (Xational. Cliristcliurch Xorth): That is the Government's job. Mr. Robertson said that the mem bers of the Opposition were inconsistent. '1 hey were only too willing to see the votes for other members cut down, but they were not so happy about it when asked to cut down expenditure in their own electorates.

This drew a storm of protest from the Opposition benches, but the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, said that members knew that these arguments were onlv party tricks, and it was no use becoming annoyed about them. c

Mr. Robertson said that the country would not be fit for heroes to live in if development work was cut out.

The Prime Minister said the amendment would bring the country back to the depression period, with "its unemployment, starvation and soup kitchens, a period the Opposition were responsible for.