THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1919. PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17274, 25 September 1919, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1919. PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

The announcement made by Sir James Allen in the Financial Statement that £2,090,000 will be available for public works during the ensuing twelve months is not a full revelation of the Government's policy, since it is suggested that further sums may be raised for developmental purposes. For the complete programme the country must await Sir William Fraser'.* annual statement, and as the subject is apparently still under review the time is not inopportune for a recapitulation of the principles on which the post-war policy should be based. For three years there has been virtual stagnation in railway and road construction. During the latter part of 1914 and 1915 the country was able to support the ordinary rate of development, but in 1916 the number of men employed on railways and roads greatly diminished. This is illustrated both in the annual expenditure on public works and the railway mileage opened year by year:— ?

MUX -f' Expenditure. Lines opened. ltv> 1 - „rJ- on Miles Chains, 1912 .. 2,340,380 4fi 59 low .. 2.548.918 52 51 J914 ■■ 2.760.798 5 69 "» .. 2.737,364 9 5 "l* :: f: 7 s Hii If 1! 1918 .. 1.401.837 22 31 3919 .. 1,207,921 Not stated. The inference from these figures s plain. During the past three fears New Zealand has spent £4,385,271 on public works, whereas mder normal circumstances she vould have spent about £8,100,000, >r £3,714,729 more. This is a capitalised statement of the leeway >ccasioned by the war, and since the present financial responsibilities ol •he Dominion demand a rapid increase of production it is the duty if the Government to level up the average annual expenditure as quickly as possible. This could be done by allocating about £6,000,00( tor the present financial year anc carrying forward any unexpendec balance to swell the vote for the following year. The sum may ap pear large, but it is the minimun that can be allocated for public works if the Dominion is not to suffer permanently from the retarda tion of the war period. Many mil ions have been raised for other purposes. It is the imperative duty oi ihe Government to find the few millions which will bring fresh natural resources into play, increase production, and so help to pay for the vast sums which have necessarilj t>een devoted to non-reproductive expenditure. This is a purpose to wards which a portion of the ac cumulated surpluses might properh be applied. The Government pro poses to use £12,500,000 for soldier settlement, but if half this sum were definitely allocated for, railways anc roads true settlement would be ad vanced more than it can be by am system of purchasing private estates, and the development of the Dominion would receive a fillip which would enable taxation to b< reduced, and would create a nev wave of prosperity. , The North Island is particularh interested in securing the adoptio, of a bold and progressive public works policy, because the major alio cation must come north of Cool Strait. The time has arrived tc make the equalisation of railway mileage in the two islands a ques tion of practical politics. The North Island, with nearly 60 pei cent, of the population of New Zealand, has 1269 miles of railway ; the South Island, with a little over 4( per cent, of the population, has \7U miles. The North Island railway return £7 8s per cent, on their cost the South Island lines £3 17s pei cent. No further argument shoulc oe needed to convince any reason ible Government which island has first claim upon the public work; und. Justice and self-interest should alike incline the Minister to give the Vorth Island a s quickly as possible :he 450 miles of railway necessary tc ilace it level with the South Island Railways in the North Island are a splendid State investment, promot ng land settlement and returning a ligh rate of interest. The unprofit ible political railways which cob veb the South Island do not ever :>ay interest charges. The injustice md stupidity of the contrast are sc lag-rant and glaring that the remedy mist be applied without delay. The North Island now enjoys a superior noting power, and though unwilling 0 use it harshly or selfishly is deterTimed to secure a new orientation >f railway policy. The first ster. .".wards this is the transfer of the f üblm Works portfolio to a Nortl Inland Minister. Sir William rraser is by instinct and train ing unsuitable for the office undeMl Present circumstances. His age honoured though it is by faithfu public service, is a distinct handicap 1 he South island tradition in whicl he is steeper) to the very finger tip; is an eve,, more serious disability He should give wa .v to a younge, -Hid more, energetic Minister svm Pathetic to the claims of the Xortl Island. Mr. Massey may reason ably ask for time to make this re adjustment, hut unless he effects i before th- election he will lose . unique opportunity for rallying th« North Island to a rational publiworks policy.