PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13611, 21 December 1909, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

(By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON. December 20. In tho House of Representatives this evening, the Public Works Statement was laid on the table by tho Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works. The following is a summery of the Statement:— The period which has elapsed since the last Public Works Statement was delivered has been quite an important one in the history of the Public Works Department. After filling the position of Minister of Public Works with conspicuous ability for over twelve years —nearly twice as long as any other Minister has filled it—the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones finally relinquished the office, and was appointed to tho High Commi&sionership on November 30th. I had tho honour of succeeding him.

During the year, tho Department of Roads has been amalgamated with the parent department,- so that tho Public Works Department now controls practically the whole of the Public Works expenditure of tho Dominion. The length of new railways opened for traffic, was greater than during any similar period for thirty years past, and tho gross total expenditure on Public Works was also greater than in any year for more than a quarter of a century, while the amount spent on road construction constituted a record. It will therefore be evident to hon. members that the Department has experienced' a particularly busy year.