Mr. Savage’s Goodwill Tour

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1938, Page 5

Mr. Savage’s Goodwill Tour

[Per Press Association. Copyright.] CHRISTCHURCH. Thb. Day. “Men and machinery on publicworks in New Zealand are the best equipped in the British Empire,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, who arrived at Christchurch on a goodwill lour today. "The bulk of the work is carried out on the co-operative contract system. The men are earning good wages, and the State is getting good value for its expenditure," said Mr Savage. "On every class of construction the men have improved wonderfully in skill and in the output of work. Now they are an army of men cf whom any nation can be proud, •‘lt is the intention of the Government to continue its policy in carrying out a comprehensive, yet well defined, programme of work. I cannot subscribe to the Conservative doctrine that public works should be cut down in times of prosperity. ' “Slowing down of public works invariably leads to a slump. Such has been the rule in this country, and advice tc cut down during prosperity and expand during depression times comes ill from the very people who, during the last economic depression, singled out the Public Works as thd first of the national activities to suffer. There were 21.188 men employed on Public Works during May last. “Never in the history cf the Dominion have the roading problems of the country been approached as comprehensively as has been done since this Government took office.” stated the Prime Minister, after referring to the proposed expenditure on railways and highways. “The department's operations on country roads for the year ended March 31, 1938. involved the expenditure of £1,126,757. and the amount required to be voted for the year ending March 31. 1938, is £1,410,000.”