MODERN MACHINERY ON PUBLIC WORKS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 114, 8 February 1937, Page 10

MODERN MACHINERY ON PUBLIC WORKS

Minister Defends Policy

“WHO WANTS TO PUSH A BARROW, ANY WAY?”

(By Telegraph—Special Reporter.)

Nelson, February 7.

A defence of his policy of using the most efficient machinery available ou public works was made by the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Hon. 11. Semple, ou Saturday, when he spoke at the ceremony at which lie officially began the construction work ou the new Nelson aerodrome by shifting many cubic yards of spoil with a mechanical scoop attached to a powerful tractor instead of the ancient method of turning the first sod with a spade or shovel.

Gough, Gough, and Hamer, the contracting firm, will carry out the work of levelling 210 acres with tractors, scoops and a “bulldozer.” “Some people object to that,” said the Minister. “They say the machine displaces men. Well then, should we dump the liner and go back to the canoe? Should we dump the aeroplane and go back to the balloon? No one would suggest that. Scientific invention is a wonderful thing, and it is one of our jobs to fit the marvellous inventions we have into our tasks to lighten our burden and meet our needs more easily. “Of course I could have had this job done by the wheel-barrow and the long-handled shovel —at about four times the cost. Who wants to push a wheel-barrow, anyway? 'With the same money, using machines, we can create three other assets of equal value. . . Besides we want to transfer the burden of bullocking work from the shoulders of men to the cranks of machines. . . Those who want to go on using the barrow and the shovel might as well say we should go back to the old wooden plough. . . It would be years before this aerodrome would be finished with wheel-barrows. We want to do the job quickly.”