M.O.W. spent $8000M last year

Press, 20 August 1982, Page 22

M.O.W. spent $8000M last year

PA Wellington The Ministry of Works and Development spent more than $BOO million on projects last year, says the ministry’s annual report. Of this, more than ?600M was spent on works commissioned and funded by other departments votes or agencies. Expenditure funded by the ministry through its own vote came to S22OM.

The cost of wages for the ministry came to $226M; materials, supplies and services cost S4OOM; and grants, contributions and subsidies, SIS6M. A total of 25 workers were laid off during the year, down from 101 the previous year. Total manpower employed within the ministry was 9243, with 3657 employed from private contractors.

The Commissioner of Works. Mr J. J. Chesterman. said in the report tabled in Parliament that the ministry was having to.respond to changing work demands as capital investment was being directed into activities aimed at increasing production and exports of goods and services. There was a willingness for the public and private sector to contribute jointly towards some major developments in New Zealand, although “the real opportunities for this to happen have been elusive,” Mr Chesterman said. In the future the ministry would have a higher public profile in order to make its achievements better known, both in New Zealand and abroad. Mr Chesterman said.