MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 5

MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

AN EXPLANATION. Ini Tsi.EGiui'li—riißsa association.) Ghristchurch, 4pfil 12 The Hon. R. M'Kenssio, Minister for Public Works, arrived to-night from tho West Coast. Interviewed regarding a statement he was reported to have made at Hokitika on Thursday to the effect that the extension of tho Hokitika-Ross lino was Hot possible at present, because the Government was tied un for money, tho Minister said: "That is not right. It is entirely wron". I was speaking on the railway policy of the Government. What I said was that my hands wero tied up for want of money, unless Parliament authorised expenditure. At the different places at which I'referred to the finances of tho Government, I said the finances of the Government were never sounder than at tho present time. My meaning when refrring to tho extension of the Ross line was that unless the money was appropriated by Pnrliamcnt expenditure could not be. made On that occasion I had no idea of dealing with financial, questions, but I was dealing with the nnestion of railway construction. "*I was explaining that at tho present time we are borrowing at the rate of one million pounds per annum for public works, and that public works were required all over the Dominion and that these could not bo carried out unless Parliament 2ave me authorisations tor ruiliviiy construction."