PUBLIC WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 13

PUBLIC WORKS

jIfAR ECONOMY IGNORED

M R. HAMILTON'S APPEAL

"TERRIFIC" ,DEBT INCREASE

SCOPE FOR PRUNING KNIFE

[BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday The drastic curtailment of the votes 0 n the Public Works Estimates, other than those for war purposes., was advocated by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, when opening the debate on the Public Works Statement in the House of Representatives to-day. He said that from the Opposition point of view the amount of money s till being spent on public works was the most objectionable feature of the Government's activities. Reference was,made by Mr. Hamilton to the progressive increase in tho public works vote since 1933-34. Public \corks. he said, had become New Zealand's greatest industry. That state of affairs might be desirable in some circumstances, but certainly not at present. Expenditure ol £20,000,000

One was bound to conclude that New Zealand" was not badly served in the nay of public services and it was a T erv doubtful policy for this country to set out on a purely civil expenditure in war years of something like £20,000,000. The opinion that the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, and his department had done good work in the preparation of military camps jn quick time was expressed by Mr. Hamilton. "I think the Minister might with advantage devote the same energy to cutting down expenditure that is not justified in wartime," Mr. Hamilton continued. '"One would have thought it possible to curtail the operations of the department. One of the chief jobs of the Minister should be to get down expenditure in every way possible." Rapid Rise in. Public Debt

The addition to the public debt by borrowing for public works was mentioned by Mr. Hamilton, who pointed out that the country's national debt had been increased by £19,000.000 last year. The Government had stated it Vas going to keep down the public debt, but it was being added to at a terrific rate and public works were largelv responsible.Ano'ther £40.000.000 would be added to the public debt this year, he added, but, of course, that sum included war expenditure. No one would cavil at money expended in the defence of the country, but to add £15,000,000 to the public "debt on account of public works iras not desirable at a time like the present. 'TVith about 22,000 men in uniform one would have expected industry to have absorbed some of the surplus labour in the country and the number of men on public works to have been more substantially reduced," Mr. Hamilton said. 1 "It does seem that something should be done to bring these, things into much better alignment, particularly in view of the conditions existing. to-day. The Minister should endeavour to bring about a better internal economy." Revision of Estimates Urged

World travellers, Mr. Hamilton remarked, had stated that New Zealand had roads which compared more than favourably with those in some of the ol ier countries of the world. Mr. Semple: Surely you don't condf'h that.-' / - . Mr. Hamilton: It is a fine thing to have modern conveniences, but we have to make sure that a country of this size is able to afford them. Referring .to railway expenditure Mr. Hamilton said he did not think there', was any great urgency for the South Island main trunk line. It did not fmatter whether it was finished this vear or next. Mr. Semple: We are not worrying. •Mr. Hamilton: I think it ought to be finished, but that there is no great Lurry. "The Minister ought to take the Estimates back," Mr. Hamilton concluded. "with a view to their_ pretty drastic curtailment, except in the case of war expenditure." SMALL FARMS SCHEME MINISTER REVIEWS PROGRESS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON, Friday Progress made with the small farms scheme was reviewed by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, during the debate on the Public Works Statement in the House to-day. He expressed the hope that it would be possible in the future to go in for more diversified farming on some of the blocks. Mr. Langstone said there were 88,990 acres under development in 1936 and 130.000 acres in 1940. The average dumber of men employed_ was 1241 four years ago, and to-day it was 1101. It was interesting to note that although the area under development very miich larger, -fewer men were engaged. The reason for this was that labour requirements diminished as land ttas brought into production. The sheep carried in 1936 totalled &SOO, as compared with 93.959 tins year. Dairv cows increased from 2155 to SS3I and run cattle from 1132 to 13.317. The revenue from small farms amounted in 1935 to £6794. in 1939 to £79,039, and in 1940 to £139,944. PUBLIC TRUST YEAR PROFIT/ OF £16,951 j [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Friday A profit for the year of £16,951 is "■own in the annual accounts of the I Hblic Trust Office, which have been before the House of Representaj ? 3 - In the annual report it is stated t |la l new business' reported for adrninistiation amounted to £5,880,776, roprfAnting the aggregate value of 3164 nnd funds. as compared with -6.314,532 and 3089 estates for the receding year. The aggregate value ™ the estates and funds under adminisHfUon at A (arch 31 last was p?,1622, 175, compared with £61,715,/13 °Vi Previous year. deposit of' wills had been main-' "ifttd in satisfactory volume, the ?Bsgate number on deposit at the end tnf i • Vc ' ar ' 97,675, being the highest j recorded. During the year 7204 I Ci-^> W1 " S a PP°' n ting the Public Trustee I u tor and trustee were deposited. I j ENGLAND'S EXAMPLE I TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] | u WELLINGTON, Friday | /example is followed, | i ''' probably have more taxation," 1 Glut) \ '*°- v (Opposition — |i n w 'hon discussing public works M sskel° l 01150 to-dav. The question being Iflfal) i Opposition and many jitr v °jP r s I , PP or ter> was whether a coun-t-It he a war could spend up tq lof 0,1 public works. The sacrifice sfiij ,l v w .orks might hare to be made ® circumstances of war.