PREVENTIVE PLANNING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 8

PREVENTIVE PLANNING

The recommendation of the National Expenditure Commission for a board of public works (recalled by the Associated Chambers of Commerce) is probably unacceptable to the present Government. It was not accepted by the Government to tvhich the Commission submitted its [report, and a party which made political capital by decrying "government by commission" is not likely to view lit with greater favour. Yet there is an idea and a strong argument in the Commission's recommendation which the Labour Government should consider. This is the idea of planning for efficient use. A few months ago the Minister of Internal Affairs proposed a survey of national resources, the survey to be the basis

for future development. It would be the key to an improved system of local administration, would show where there was scope for settlement, what industries could be established or expanded, and. generally, how the natural resources, the capital and the labour of New Zealand might be used with the maximum benefit. How does this fit in with the three-year scheme of public works set on foot by Mr. Semple, as Minister of Public Works? So far it has not been fitted in because the survey has not been made, and Mr. Scrapie's scheme is already in operation. But there should be co-ordination of survey and works.

It is not suggested that it was politically possible for a Government which had promised to put the unemployed on useful works to delay fulfilment of this promise till a survey of resources had been made. The works had to be started at once, and the Minister probably gave as much attention as he could to planning while emphasising the necessity for immediate action. But it will be strange if the urgency of.action has not resulted in departure at some points from the scheme which would have been produced if there had been a preceding national survey. We know what mistakes have been made in the past, how highways have been constructed and it has later been found necessary to place restrictions upon their use, how harbour-making has been permitted though it merely complicated the Dominion transport problem, and,how some of our development is in advance of the si age warranted by population. This comes partly from the fact that construction is undertaken without full consultation with the interests that will use, and must pay for, the works. It is as if a factory were built and equipped, and then handed over to the manufacturer without asking him first how he would use it, what he ; would produce, and what demand was in prospect for the products. No matter- how expert the constructional authority may be, it cannot see the use side of its works as well as a using authority. Special and adequate' provision should be made for full consultation with the authorities that study use and demand. A national survey would be the basis for this,with an authority in charge to guide development economically. This would lessen the weight of the political element in making works programmes. That, alone, would be a gain. As the works programme is being greatly accelerated, the survey and planning side should receive urgent attention. Otherwise it will always be a lap or two behind —near enough to show where mistakes have been made, but never in time to prevent them. • ■■.■■/?-;