LOANS FROM THE STATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15686, 13 August 1914, Page 6

LOANS FROM THE STATE

STATEMENT BY MINISTER, OBLIGATIONS TO 3E MET. [BT telegraph— CORRESPONDESI.] Wellington-, Wednesday. . The Minister for Finance, the Hon. Jama Allen, was asked this evening by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) whether ho could make a statement as to the position of the operations of the Stato Advances . Department. Ho said that he understood that the business of the Department was somewhat restricted /at present, especially in regard to local bodies. ".- ■■' Mr. Allen said that the matter had not yet been definitely settled by the Cabinet, The work of the Department had been postponed from day to day : since last Monday week. The Government wa s prepared to fulfil all respondbilitiea that had been undertaken, but he suggested that local bodies, which were contemplating new works that had not yet been started, should agree to postpone these for a time. The Government did not wish to restrict employment in any way. On the contrary, it desired to have as much employment as possible provided for workers. As soon as he was \ able to make a definite announcement in regard to the matter ho would do so. v ■ | In reply to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), Mr. Allen said that all commitments in regard to advances to settlers and workers