PUBLIC WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 102, 30 April 1921, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS

LOCAL BODIES AND GOVERN-* MENT.

In reply to a deputation at Auckland, the Hon. J. G. Co&tes, Minister of Public Works, said that in the past local authorities had held a number of authorities for grants /oi two and sometimes three years. All these had now been cancelled because the finances of the country demanded that expenditure should be restricted to absolutely urgent and necessary works. If' the Government did not cancel the authorities issued, but merely suspended some of the operations of the Public Works Department, the local bodies would go on spending money, and, there would be no actual saving. Another reason for the cancellation of the authorities was that it was desirable to ascertain what were necessary works. Under the new scheme all applications for grants for necessary and urgent works would be reviewed by the district engineer, who would make bis reeommendrtAion' to: the Minister.

In the event of conditions becoming worse and unemployment becoming acute, continued the Minister, the first duty of the Government would be to find work for those in need of it. The Government had been saving money for some time to enable this to be done.

Mr. Day : l"Then there is really some chance of the Waitemata County Council getting these grants expended?"

Mr. Coates said it would depend o^ the recommendations made by the engineer whether these works would be authorised. A new authority would be necessary. Works at present in the process of construction would certainly not be interfered with. ;

A member of the deputation reminded the Minister that recently there had been a fatal accident on the Whau Bridge, and it was desired that this bridge an 3 others in a similar condition should be made safe.

Mr. Coates: "Well, won't'they come trader the heading of urgent works? There is nothing alarming about the position ; we must be careful and make our money spin out, at any rate for a little while. Probably in a few months we shall be able to issue authorities in the ordinary way."