PUBLIC WORKS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 August 1926, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS

CAUTIOUS MINISTER ’ PRESENT DAY CONDITIONS JE: CHECK ON EXPENDITURE. (By Telegraph—Special to The Star.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 28. After listening for a long day to suggestions of members for expenditure on public works, all urgently needed in various parts of the Do- ... minion, the Hon. K. S-. I AV ill rams - (Minister of Public: AYod®) gave sg. re-*-ply which showed a desire to be cautious in future public works expenditure. He thanked members for the many -suggestions they had made,., but hastened to inform them that lie would l need to reassure himself very thoroughly about the advisability of proceeding with further additional works. He did not wish to land New •land into a policy of fast ■borrowing. He did not care about the pros- • pect-s for our produce for the next year or two. Though not a pessimist, he thought that- things were not as good as they might be, and this induced - in him a feeling that if he could _ pas- ' siblv check the rate of expenditure where it could' justifiably be checked that he should adopt that plan. A v good l deal of money which Parliament would proceed to vote on the Public. Works Estimates would be reproductive. as it ’would ‘be spent- on railways and hydro-electric undertakings, but it took some years to get these to the , point of making -a full return. Her put himself in the position of a trustee, as he regarded himself as holding the position not for ' the purpose of, oleasing members,- but having the obligation of looking carefully into every . point to -see what- effect the expenditure would have on the future, of New Zealand, expenditure for .which! the younger generation would have to pay. The Minister promised to visit _as niaiw parts of New Zealand as .possible.. in the* recess, so that he could personally judge of the merits of the many • undertakings' commended to his notice. This renly had to satisfy a! large number of members who had asked fort, railway extension arid more public' buildings. As for the latter, Mr "Williams declared that be thought he should look more carefully- -info this _ than any other phase of public works expenditure, because it’srave 'little 'or no immediate return. He - -gave evi-?i deuce of this caution when asked if. the new wing of Parliament Buildings would be erected at an early date. . Mr AY i Ilia ms replied that he was considering the question of renovating the old wooden building so, that afe« could do duty for. a further periodThe House subsequently approved of the whole of the Public' Works • Estimates, totalling £8,643,478, and adjourned till Monday evening.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE

WELLINGTON, 28.7- -E. After the luncheon -adjournment the debate in the House of Representatives C. ’: on the Public Works-Statement.--was : continued by Messrs. ,D; J . Sullivan (Avon). AV. H. Field (Otalu), H. At- • • more (Nelson), H. Holland (Christchurch North), E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), Hon. D>. Buddo (Kai- > • a-poi), and. D. Jones, (Ellesmere), who-;.- . dealt mainly with local requirements,... Mr. M. Savage (Auckland West) protested against -taking.atpublic road!-: - through the AVa-ipua forest in the Auckland district. He condemned the Government oil account of the money voted every year and not spent-, and he hoped for some improvement in 'that respect. . .. . 7...;.. -T----Mr. SaVage condemned the : hours- r which the House wias being asked tort'sit, all because the Prime Minister wanted to go: to’ the Imperial Conference. With his-big- majority - eminent should be able to carry on -in ; - his absence. The present tactics were therefore unreasonable. ’-- >' 5 • • *-'• -•” Mr. H. G. Dickie (Patea) . maintained . that while there were unfit, slum con- ; ditions in the cities, there were worse conditions in the backbloeks. Sir John Luke '(Wellington North)’ commended the Alangaihao power scheme which, though constructed at a most unfavourable -period.-,, was show--;: ing most satisfactory financial! results. . Air. Adam Hamilton (Wallace) uttered a warning against- the spending of such large sums on public works. Last year the country spent- £6,000,000, and this year it was up almongst the mil- '* lions again. , New Zealand was yet a! young country and it was wise that wo should hasten slowly. He thought the rr large counties were badly treated in the matter of subsidy. PROTEST AT PALMERSTON NORTH PALMERSTON N., Aug. 30. " A largely attended public meeting' was held last evening at the instance of the Council of Christian Congrega- B -. tions, to hear addresses by the Rev. D. . . T. Brown and: T. R. Hodder on the Licensing Amendment Bill. The speakers trenchantly denounced the Bill as being unfair, unjust, and undepiqcratic. Motions were carried expressing indignation at- this fehetidriary measure, which was deemed-to be a’l- ' **> most wholly in favour ; of..' the ..liquor;-.-s traffic, • providing as., it did for,..in-; creased facilities for the sale of increase of licenses, facilties for an increased period between the polls, and an unfair vote on resortation of license after the carriage, of prohibition.- : . I After the public meeting, deputations' from the New Zealand Alliance and the Council of Christian Congregations waited on Mr. J. A. Nash.'MjPy, who consented to convey the resolution to the Rt. Hon. J.. G> Coates.,, Ad.di T , , tional addresses in the same- tone as those given at the public meeting weret delivered. ..