THE PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 45

THE PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

THE PREMIER ON THE POSITION.

AUCKLAND, Jpnuary 31

In a letter received by the Chamber of Commerce from the Premier, in answer to a requisition from the Chamber regarding the dismissal of men from railway works having forced some traders into the Bankruptcy Court, Mr Seddon pointed out that when a contractor employed men by the clay or the week he did not study the interest of traders or storekeepers in the vicinity of the work, and in the case of co-operative works the Government were in exactly the same position as a private contractor, who employed men when required and dismissed them when necessary. He considered it quite a new doctrine that the interests of traders were to be studied as a factor in the public works policy. He would respectfully suggest that the chamber had overlooked the fact that the losses in question were included in the risks of trade. The Government had paid the men, and concluded that they would settle with the storekeeper, and if they had not done so it was surely too muc'.i to blame the Government for non-payment of debts between private persons. The letter was received, the Chairman remarking thst it showed the necessity of being rareful as to what kind of letters they s?nt to the Premier.