NEW EQUIPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 12

NEW EQUIPMENT

PUBLIC WORKS PROBLEM

ABSORPTION OF LABOUR

MINISTER'S STATEMENT

"The great problem in front of me is to find modern equipment so that the jobs can be done as expeditiously as possible and at the least cost," said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in an interview today. "To my amazement when I made investigations before taking control I found that the Public Works Department had . been instructed by the late Government to sell all their plant. All that . we have left for public works comprises wheelbarrows, double-ended picks, and long-handled shovels. "The position is now that I have to purchase new plant, which will in- . volve a very heavy expenditure. The first order for machinery* to start the job amounts to £75,000, and this is only a beginning. It will give some idea of the disastrous policy pursued by the late Government." When the Minister took office there were 13.000 men employed on public works, he said. Within the four months of his administration that number had been increased to nearly 16,000, with better wages being paid and better conditions provided for. The greatest number of men employed on public •works in the Dominion was reached in 1929, when railways were in full swing. "'We are rapidly approaching ' that figure again," said Mr. Semple. "I anticipate that it will be almost doubled when plans are prepared for railways,' roading, new hydro-electric work, and irrigation schemes." , The Minister said that some of the work on aerodromes was costing seven times the amount it should cost. He '. instanced one case where spoil was being removed at a cost of 8s 6d a yard, when it could be moved for a fraction in excess of Is a yard. Mr. Semple said he proposed to prepare a plan embracing all desirable ' works. He would list them in order •' of preference. He would strengthen the engineernig and> clerical departments. His slogan to cover all future ■works was "speed, efficiency, and a decent reward for those who render service to the Department." The Gisborne line would be the first work to - receive attention. It would absorb be- .. tween 1000 and 1500 men. Aerodromes would be under complete control of the Public Works Department and improve- ' ments speeded up.