HON. R. SEMPLE

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1938, Page 3

HON. R. SEMPLE

Five-year Plan MAY BE DONE IN THREE YEARS. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 18The activities of the Public Works Department under the Labour Government were reveiwed by the Minister in charge (the Hon. R. Semplet. in an address at Otahuhu. The Oppheus Theatre was tilled to overflowing, and a loud-speaker system was utilised to enable those outside to hear the Minister.

In replying to criticism of expenditure on public works which had been made by the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister said that the logical trend of the criticism would be to put scarifiers over highways and transform them into potholes and surfaces that would prevent traffic from moving with reasonable speed.

"Our policy,” he said, ‘‘is to give I lie maximum degree of efliciency on our highways at the minimum cost of human life.” In spite of all criticism, the fact remained that New Zealand was the only country in the world that showed a progressive increase in the number of motor cars on the roads with a steady reduction in the number of fatalities and road acci • dents. “STUCK IN THE MUD.” In a tour of the Dominion after assuming office, he had found that 13,000 back-country farmers were literally stuck in the mud for want of roads. His five-year plan was designed to construct 6000 miles of roads for back-block settlers, and already 1400 miles had been metalled. At the present rate of progress, he estimated the work would be completed in three years. “The condition of the public works when I took up office resembled a hobo’s dungarees,” he remarked, adding that there had been tinkering without any constructive planning under the former Government. The Opposition had saio 're was too much being done on public works and that they should be reserved for slump periods. "That,” he said, “is their philosophy—wait for a slump.” The Minister proceeded trenchantly to criticise the last administration of public works. “If I had a political record of that sort,” he continued, “I should be afraid to meet the taxpayers, far less condemn or criticise any Government for what it is doing.” At the end of his term he would

be prepared to place his record of work before any tribunal of competent engineers and abide by their judgment. "1 don’t object to criticism—l can take knocks and hit back—but I have n 0 time for the character assassin and poison-dropper,” said Mr Semple in referring to allegations against his administration of the department. "If I cannot get into Parliament by any other way than that, then I’ll be well content Io stay outside.”

A film showing the methods and machinery employed on public works was screened to a commentary by the Minister. A resolution expressing appreciation of the able administration of the department by the Minister was carried with cheers.