GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 117, 18 April 1939, Page 2

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln connection with the clearing of the land for the intermediate school in Ferguson Street, which comprises ■approximately tour acres which is cleared to date, it employed on an average about eight men for just on six months at £4 lOs each per week, making a total of £BO-1 or £216 per acre for labourers’ wages alone. At certain times heavy up-to-date stump pulling, etc., m.'i.cliinerv was employed, which would have to be piled on top of the wages account, also supervising, etc. One wonders how this compares with the efficiency that is expected by the present Socialist Government from private industry, which would collapse immediately under such costs. Tn conclusion, it would lie interesting to know if Mr Semple has received a film of the men moving earth from place to place in heavy two-wheeled hand carts, ,n.s it would complete his Public Works film which he exhibits from time to time and bring it up-to-date. As one of Mr Semple’s fervid supporters worked on this job, no doubt he filmed the above mentioned operation of earth re-

moval so that t.he major film would not remain incomplete.—l am. etc..

OBSERVER