PUSHING SETTLEMENT FIRST.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14702, 1 June 1920, Page 1

PUSHING SETTLEMENT FIRST.

j (Per Press Association.) ! AUCKLAND, May 31. I An important policy statement was made by the Hon. j. G. Coates, Post- | master-General, to-day, when replying Ito a deputation which asked for improved postal facilities at-, Epsom. The Minister said that he was not I prepared to recommend the GovernI ment to go in for a- progressive scheme 1 of constructing po6t- offices and -public i buildings for administrative purposes. At the present time housing 'accoin-• modation was very short, prices were, tremendously high, and there was insufficient skilled labor available. "I think," added Mr Coates, "that the interests of this city, and of the whole of New Zealand, will be better served if we devote l - our energies and resources towards pushing on all those public works which assistm facilitating settlement, such as railways. In re-, spect-to>-other requirements, we shall have to improvise up to a pertain point-, lintil the position improves.' When we'reach the point at which we are unable to carry on the transaction of public business, then only can we possibly consider the construction of up-to-date administrative public-build-ings.". ~"; .