PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3103, 3 September 1913, Page 34

PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

CFbom Ode Own Correspondent.l WELLINGTON, August 28 An inquiry as to when the Public Works Statement is likely to be brought down was made in the House this afternoon by Mr G. W. Russell. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W Fraser) replied that the matter depended very largely on how the business before the House proceeded. It was not customary to bring down the Statement until towards the close of the session. If members knew what they were going to tret in the way of votes thev would be off home, and it' would Kn difficult to keep a quorum in the House. Up till last week he had been receiving applications for votes from all parts of the dominion, and he was now proceeding to go through them with a view to deciding which should be provided for on the Estimates. He was also obtaining reports from his engineers upon the applications. The total amount of works applied for was about four times an much as could be provided for or carried out during the year. It would take four or five years to complete all the uncompleted works in the dominion. He would like to satisfy the demand of everv settler, but neither the money nor the labour necessary was available. Before he closed the Estimates he intended to invite every country member to confer with him regarding what were regarded as the most urgent works in each district. He would not ask members to take any part in cuttiner out or cutting down its applications. That was his own responsibility. but he suggested the consultations with a view to preventing important items being overlooked. He would ask members to indicate the order of preference in which the works should be carried out. The work upon which he was at present engaged would take a month or six weeks to complete. Mr Russell asked whether it was proposed to continue the usual roads and bridges’ grants? • Mr Fraser : Yes.