PUBLIC WORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 14997, 3 October 1912, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS.

OPINIONS ON THE PRESENT SYSTEM. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE SUGGESTED. [From Our Parliamentary REroBTER.] WELLINGTON. October 5. The Minister of Public Works informed Mr Newman yesterday that during tlm recess the Government will consider the. advisability of introducing legislation to constitute a Parliamentary Committee on Public Works, on somewhat similar linos to that now existing in New South Wales and other Australian States. Mr Forbes expressed surprise that a matter spoken of so glibly at election ,timr> was being relegated to the background. Probably they reaped that it was morn difficult to put into operation than they were aware of. Public works were always reported on by district engineers to tho Minister, who was thoroughly advised, and he failed to see how things could be improved by setting up a bourd of members of Parliament. It would bo too much to suggest tha.t_t.hey should travel all over the country taking evidence, for and against proposals for public works. Tho procedure would cause great dissatisfaction and controversy. Mr E. Newman saiil that in New South Wales they had a. parliamentary committeeof seven members, elected by ballot, and ho thought the establishment of such aPublic Works Committee was an excellent safeguard against wasteful expenditure. Mr Hauan contended, on the other hand, that thousands of pounds had been lost in blundering expenditure in New South Wales owing to the existence of a Public Works Hoard. Mr Russell expressed the opinion that the whole responsibility of voting money for public works should not rely in Ministerial favors or caprice, but that a. Public Works Committee should be appointed to scrutinise and put its imprimatur on all the items passed for expenditure. Mr Pearce hoped to see some scheme of doing away witn the smaller road grants, which ought to be administered by the county councils, lie did not altogether approve of the setting up of a board, but there certainly should be an inquiry before any new railway was authorised. The Hon. R. M'ivcnzio eaid he thought thab the establishment of a Public Works Board would be to some extent an improvement on tho system existing in tins countrv. At the same time, he was cure it would not do away with dissatisfaction. Mr Anderson expressed tho hops that in future the Government, when railway construction was under consideration, 'would appoint a board cf competent men to report upon the proposal.