PUBLIC WORKS.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 972, 13 March 1919, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS.

Is There a Government Qo»Slow Poiicy? THERE is growing dissatisfaction all; over New Zealand over the apathy and lethargy exhibited by the Government with regard to public Works. During the war period it was, for various reasons, impossible to maintain the construction of public works on the pre-war scale. But the war is now over, and the public, especially the residents_ of districts, specially in need of railway communication with a port, of new bridges or more and better roads, is naturally- enough becoming very discontented with a state of affairs which manifestly calls for a change in the [Department's policy. 3Trom all over the Dominion come complaints of what is now satirically entitled the "Go-Slow" policy of the Government witb regard to public works. Canterbury is up in arms over the positively grotesque state ofaffairs which prevails witb regard to the Otira tunnel, and: tlie completion generally of the great railway line between Ghristcliurch and the West Coast. At the present rate of progress this line, despite the fact that the tunnel was actually cut through nearly two years ago, will not be ready for traffic for—well, goodness only knows how many long years to come. * *• * * In the Nortji Island people are crying out for the East Coast railway to be proceeded with at a much more rapid rate of construction than has been the case during the war period;, and similar complaints and demands have been expressed in reference to the line. In several other directions besides that of railway construction there is a widespread demand for a policy of prudent activity, off well--directed energy by the Public Works Department. _ There should be money in plenty available for the Consolidated Fund, for the loan moneys now accumulated in London must run into, several millions. The Minister for. Public Works, however, persists in a " goslow " policy, and seems doggedly opposed to the department Cf getting- a bend on." *. * , * *• His chief excuse- for the thy and- inactivity which exist, in connection with the construction of c public. works appears to be an alleged shortage of labour. No doubt the. loss, of over 16,000 able-bodied men in the war has been a big factor in the shortage of labour. The cessation of immigration before the war (the annual average influx ofc- immigrants was about 8000) has also been a contributing factor,. The Minister is therefore quite right when, he-says that the Dominion wants more people, and we are glad to see that he recently came out, with an unqualified declaration that " the oountry will not prosper till we get more people." , With a steady influx of the right kind, of- labour many public works of great importance and value to the community might be carried out.