PUBLIC WORKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 August 1924, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS.

MEANS OF RAISING MONEY. CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM OF WORK. (UI TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 8. Speaking of taxation and means of raising money for public works, the Minister for’ Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) said in the House to-night that it had been suggested that authority should be given for bonds to be issued for this purpose. He warned the House against the danger of such issues. Such bonds could not- be confined within New Zealand. They were sure to be taken up by outside investors, and it there should be a irush to cash bonds their value would be forced down. Bond issues were therefore dangerous to the country if adopted for the purpose of starting public works, and the best thing for New Zealand to do was to pay cash for wliat she gets done and so get work canned out at cost price. A complaint had been made that public works contracts were let to foreigners, but the Minister replied that the East Coast railway was let to a British firm. The Government also favoured *

co-operative contract work as far as possible. The interests of employers in all cases were conserved by the Government. The men must be paid the award rates of wages and proper housing and other facilities must be provided in all cases. Mr Coates pointed out that co-operative. men had no time for day work. They could, by energy and enterprise, make more out of contracts, and the work was finished more expeditiously.