THREE-YEAR PLAN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 10

THREE-YEAR PLAN

Programme of Public Works HOUSING INCLUDED Aim at Absorption of Unemployed A comprehensive programme of major works will be announced by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. 11. Semple, next week, when he outlines to the House of Representatives the new working agreement entered into with the men employed by the department. The new works will involve a fairly large annual expenditure, but it is expected that tno programme will provide one of the chief avenues for the absorption of the unemployed. The Minister said In an interview last evening that departmental engineers had draw up a three-year plan, embodying the public works policy of the Government. The work to be undertaken will include the following:— Construction of roads. River protection works. Aerodromes. Completion of railway lines. Irrigation works. Drainage schemes. Road bridges. Overhead railway crossing-. Government buildings. Hydro-electric works. Housing. “We have earmarked these jobs in order of preference and will begin them in that order,” Mr. Semple said. “The Government’s housing scheme will come under my department. It will be undertaken later on. A comprehensive scheme has been drawn up for the construction of overhead crossings, while the construction of hydro-electric schemes will be linked un with the Government’s decision to provide power for the expansion of the goldmining industry. A tremendous amount of money its ready to be expended in that industry and the Government is anxious to encourage the expenditure of foreign capital in the Dominion.” Attracting Foreign Capital. The Minister pointed out that the expenditure of foreign capital in such a way involved another major consideration which the Government looked’ upon as being of some importance. By encouraging the Investment of money in the goldmining industry the country would get a direct return by way of revenue from the export tax on gold. That meant the creation of an asset for New Zealand as a whole. Mr. Semple also emphasised the importance of road construction. He intended, he said, to concentrate on the formation of baCk country roads and bridges, so that better access could be given to farmers. He also spoke enthusiastically about the value of Irrigation schemes as a means of promoting land settlement.