PUBLIC WORKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20586, 8 December 1928, Page 11

PUBLIC WORKS.

THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTIVITIES, STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, December 7. The Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) to-day submitted to Phrlaiment a statement regarding public works activities. In regard to railways he states that since 1920 the policy has been to completevtho lengths of railway then in hand, which included a few short lengths, mostly extensions of existing railways, and thereafter to concentrate on lines which may be considered as main lines. A total of 313 miles 78 chains was completed /ami opened for traffic. A stretch of 25 miles on the Wairoa-Waikokopu line, although completed and opened for traffic, has not, been handed over to the Railway Department owing to its isolated position, but is being operated by the Public Works Dc-. partment. The policy of ■ making the railways available to the settlers along their line of route at as early a.date as, possible had been followed. wherever possible. As soon as the rails were laid a goods service, intermittent at first, but gradually extending until it ' could be made regular, has been commenced, and this has been later followed, by a passenger service as soon as the lino was sufficiently safe. V. HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOP- ' MENT. .■ The policy that the Government should provide for the supply of electricity in bulk wherever it is required was standardised, anb' estimates were made for a considerable ; number of years in the future as to tile demands jn -various localities, and a programme of development was,decided upon to provide for the demand. In addition to the Government’s policy of developing power in bulk, its policy of having the reticulation and distribution of the power carried out. by electric power boards was encouraged and assisted, not only by the advice of the department’s officers, but also by the passing of legislation which would make, for smoother and more efficient working. In connection with the policy ofprovid-r ing everyone within reason with the advantages' of moderately-priced electric power, so far the works carried through have been very successful, and at the present time at least two-thirds of the total population is supplied with electric power. The statement deals also with highways, irrigation, buildings,* and other matters. \ •