PUBLIC WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 10

PUBLIC WORKS

PUSHING ON SCHEMES MODERN PLANT NEEDED HON. R. SEMPLE'S POLICY EMPLOYMENT FOR THOUSANDS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The necessity for the use of modern machinery on works coming under tho control of his department was emphasised by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Seniple, in an interview today.

He said tho department was at present lamentably short of material and ho would have to make a heavy outlay on the purchase of new plant. •'All we have left to carry on public works comprises wheelbarrows) doubleended picks and long-handled sluovels," said the Minister, "and my first order for machinery amounts to £75,000. That will give some idea of the disastrous policy pursued by the last Government We must have modern equipment so that the work can be done as quickly as possible and at the least cost." Tho Minister stated that since he had taken office the number of men employed on public works had been increased from 13,000 to nearly 16,000. The department was approaching the record employment figure reached in 1929 and he anticipated that when the Government was ready to go ahead with its railways, roading, irrigation and hydro-electric schemes that number would be almost doubled. The Gisborne line would be the first major work to be undertaken and would absorb between 1000 and 1500 men.