PUBLIC WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 15

PUBLIC WORKS.

CONTINUITY OF POLICY. NEW MINISTER'S REVIEW. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING. PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORT. SEASONAL UNEMPLOYED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Adherence to tho policy of prosecuting public works established by his predecessor, Hon. J. G. Coates, is proclaimed by the new Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S. Williams, in his first Statement which was presented to tho liouso of Representatives this afternoon. "It is no mere sense of courteous duty which impels me to express appreciation of the invaluable work which has been carried through by my predecessor," Mr. Williams said. " During his term of office, he succeeded in acquiring a close personal knowledge of the works in hand and in prospect, their position and their objectivo. He further sought personal acquaintance with his staff and the employees of his department, and studied their conditions and their personal welfare. His capacity for getting at essentials, both ir. work and in men, has led to the building of a human organisation under vastly improved conditions, with the inevitable result —better work for the State. Better conditions mean better men and better work.

" I hopo the experience already gained in the development of new country will enable mo to appreciate the merits of the proposed works, and a knowledge of what expenditure would be wise and what would be insufficiently profitable for the immediate benefit of the country, so that the best results may be obtained from works undertaken. Public Works Fund expenditure should result only after a careful %veighing of all the evidence. In dealing with proposals for expenditure on new works, whether they be in relation to what may bo termed district works or inter-district works, it is my intention as far as possible, to consider each with a view to connecting up with a larger scheme of works and so prevent isolation; in other words, public works must be constructed where possible in accordance with a comprehensive scheme embracing the whole area. Careful consideration must be given to expenditure proposals which involve competition between road and railway, constructed or proposed. Closing Unprofitable Railways. " It is not fair criticism at this stage

to condemn what may now appear to be errors of the past.. The extraordinary development of motor traffic has changed the whole position, • to the extent that it is necessary to investigate the question whether certain lines of railway should not be closed down altogether, for the reason that they cannot, under improved road conditions and resulting competition by motor traffic, pay their way. These railways in their day developed the financial resources of the district they served. That development has placed the district in a position to improve its roads to a degree enabling motor vehicles to convey farm requirements from town stores to farm, and farm products to town stores or main line stations or ports. We have obviously arrived at a stage of development, where the transport requirements of a district must be studied with the 1 utmost care, and a. constructive policy adopted which will provide the most economic means of transport without duplicating expenditure. " The errors of the past which now confront us, and which have largely arisen out of altered conditions, are in themselves sufficient evidence of the necessity of comprehensive planning of public works." Allocation of Expenditure. Referring to the allocation of Public Works funds the Minister said: —"My predecessor evolved a system of automatic allocation based on essential factors and, in furtherance, a system of authorisation automatically relative to appropriation. Believing these systems to be sound in basis, I intend to adhere to them, though experience of their working effect may suggest modification of detail application. My endeavour will be dii'ected to perfection of a system- of allocation of grants from the Public Works Fund which is based on the absolute economics of the application free "of any other consideration.

"My predecessor directed his policy in determined manner toward freeing the allocation of Public Works Fund moneys ffom any suggestion of satisfying political demands. I am no less determined to follow the same policy. The work which has been adiiaved during the past few years is self-assertive evidence of the wisdom and benefit of such a policy. I have no wish to discourage local and district ambitions, but I do insist that these ambitions, before they can receive any support from the Public Works Fund, must stand the test—that is to say, they must bo found to be good and justifiable as part of a comprehensive plan of directly subsidiary to it." Forestry Work lor Unemployed.

Remarking that the department had been called upon to pfovide work for unemployed, Mr. Williams said that unemployment is almost essentially seasonal, finding its peak in the winter, when many avenues of employment are restricted, "I am not satisfied that the enlargement of the ordinary public works activities of the Government, which should be conducted according to pian, is the proper remedy," he continued. "Wintef is the least suitable season in which to obtain the best results on public works. Public works should be carried on throughout the year with a trained and regularly adherent staff. The addition of large numbers of inexperienced and often physically incapable men at a time when only trained and experienced men are worth while is economically wrong. " It seems to me that unemployment difficulties due to, or emphasised by, loss of seasonal occupation should be met by the provision of employment seasonably suitable. I have been able to discover no occupation more suitable to the capacity of those usually unemployed in winter and no avenue of expenditure mofe likely to give a better asset in return for expenditure involved, than reafforestation. The work is not so arduous that it cannot be performed by any man whef is willing to work; if intelligently planned and carried out the effort will result in the creation of a definite asset, an asset not only providing timber supplies u>r the future, but correcting many of the evils resulting from ill-considered deforestation of the pjfetj afforestation is definitely seasonal work ar»cl is thus complementary to seasonal necessity in the way e£ employment." (