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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18516, 29 March 1922, Page 6

THE IRRIGATION SCHEME. TO THE EDITOR. Sie. —I was interested in reading that the Minister of Public Works had been visiting Otago Central for the purpose of attending the opening of the irrigation scheme of which we have heard so much. That such a work is necessary is beyond any doubt as it is well known that water upon such country as Otago Central will provide livings for a very large population which does not now exist. The question naturally arises : Will the cost be justified by results, and who is to pay for it Taking the area benefited as 11,000 .acres ard the total cost at £IBO,OOO, this works out slightly over £l6 per acre, and if the tenant pays and the results are anything approaching anticipations it must be considered a sound investment; but if the general body of taxpayers have to “foot the bill’’ the wisdom of the undertaking may be questioned, because there are thousands of acres in Otago and Southland that require draining, and the owners would gladly pay all the cost but cannot induce the County Councils to undertake such extensive operations, such as straightening water ways and providing better outlets; which, if thoroughly done, would return much better results and Would cost the county nothing. But on the other hand would be a great source of wealth to the whole community. There is another aspect to take into consideration. It is commonly reported that a very large prol»ortiou of those employed were merely there because it was a Government job and it meant easily earned money. A visitor from this district states he was offered work and the inducement held out was that he did not require to earn his pay. If that is correct, then the total cost may be said to be anything from 30 per cent, to 40 per cent, beyond what it should have been, and taxpayers are required to bear this extra burden for the benefit of those who hardly deserve serious consideration. We had a specimen of “Government stroke’’ upon the Gore flood protection works that was a disgrace to all concerned. It got so bad latterly that good men were ashamed to stay, and of course that made matters worse. The pay was extreme and the result was enormous additional cost. Had the work been done by contract, or in various contracts, there is no doubt that a vast saving could have been effected. The question is, Do those in authority know the conditions existing? Taxation is extremely high, and the dominion’s ability to pay is becoming smaller and smaller each year, so that one wonders what, the (Inal result will be. A great deal is said about economy, but if all public works are conducted upon the same .lines then the sooner the taxpayers wake up the better. Farmers cannot get men so long as the Government is prepared to give big wages and allow each man to do as he thinks fit. The position is a desperate one and should receive the prompt attention of all who have the welfare of our beautiful land at heart. Labour agitators are trying to rule our land and their influence must be curtailed or we 'may have a repetition upon a much smaller scale of what has lately taken place in South Africa Good men are entitled to good pay because they are out to yive fair returns, but the man who simply wants to draw his pay irrespective of what 1m does will tend to increase our liabilities and bring the country generally into disorder. Economy is urgently needed and that should be the watchword at the next election.- T am etc.. Taxes. Gore, March 27