THE NEW NOTE

Evening Star, Issue 20612, 11 October 1930, Page 12

THE NEW NOTE

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT GOOD RECEPTION BY PARLIAMENT DUNEDIN MINISTER’S SUCCESS (FCOIC OO* PARLIAMZaIIST RsrOKTSJI.] WELLINGTON, October 10 : _ One of the quietest and least critical debates on the Puplic Works Statement ended in the early hours of this morning, and shortly after 3 o’clock Mr Tavernei (Minister of Works) had the satisfaction of getting approval for his estimates. The Dunedin Minister’s first experience in this big Parliamentary ordeal must be regarded by him with Satisfaction, for he found himself at Pie end of a long debate without any serious defensive point to be made. On the contrary, ho was able to congratulate members on the way they had received his statement, and to thank them for the remarks they had been good enough to direct to himself.

“1 realise that, in endeavouring to strike a new note in works expenditure,” he continued, ” that the whole question is open for consideration, but, judging from the debate, members generally are in agreement with the views I have put forward. The time has come when we should adopt a new viewpoint in regard to this annually recurring expenditure. 1 say that without reflecting on past Governments, or endeavouring to show that my view is superior to that of anyone else, i suggest that if we are honest in our outlook we must change with the times.”

THE UNCOMPLETED LINES. Referring to railway construction of the future, Mr Taverner suggested that members examine the lines in hand, and they would find that in some cases a relatively small amount was needed to complete them to a point where they would be of some use, and that was a suggestion which must receive the detailed consideration of his department. Members were, of course, concerned about railways in their own districts, and he suggested to them that it was up to them to prove their own case. He smilingly added that no doubt members would remind him that there were no such railways in Dunedin South. POSSIBLE TRANSFERS OF LABOUR It would be disastrous to make any violent alteration in works expenditure which would dislocate perhaps 50 per cent, of tho employment position. There were about 4,000 men employed on railway construction, and if, for the sake of argument, 60 per cent, were taken off, there must be alternative methods of employment. He would suggest land development, increasing tho area of State forest plantations, providing additional buildings, irrigation, and grade easement on open railways as avenues, which should be explored to provide productive employment. These departments were not under his control, but he was working harmoniously with his colleagues in developing a scheme on tho lines ho had indicated. By co-operation with his colleagues he thought a solution was in sight The real solution of unemployment was to be found in proper land settlement and increasing tho permanent rural population. Answering an interjection that ho was throwing men out of employment, Mr Taverner replied that he had no such intention. There was no suggestion in tho Works Statement that men would bo thrown out of employment. On the contrary, his objective was not only to employ men to tho same extent as at present, but to engage more. If profitable work could be found for them to do there was no danger in borrowing money for that purpose, hut members would realise, without his enlarging on the matter, that the production of the dominion had not increased more, than a small percentage over tho rate of expenditure.