STATE ADVANCES

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11023, 20 December 1928, Page 6

STATE ADVANCES

DISPOSING OF APPLICATIONS MORE MONEY AVAILABLE. Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, This Day. Sir Joseph Ward stated to-day that he had expected word of the moneys by the State Advances Department, both for settlers and workers, and that 350 applications for loans which had been standing over for a considerable period, had been passed by the board at its meeting this week for prompt payment. The amount authorised by the board had exceeded a quarter of a million. He had given instructions that additional valuers were to be put on to ensure as prompt, a return as possible in the applications that had been in the hands of the board for as long- as two years, amounting to over £3,000,000. He said he had already arranged for £2,000,000 of fresh money at a satisfactory rate. He had every hope that by the time the present arrears were cleared off he would be able to reel v; ce the interest and keep the State Advances Department in funds. PUSHING AHEAD WITH RAILWAYS. WELLINGTON. This Day. In an interview this morning Sir Joseph Ward said that the Public Works Department had been instructed to arrange for additional numbers of men to be put on the railways, previously announced as part of the general policy' of the Government, and to make arrangements to push on with the construction of the Auckland —Taranaki railwav, Gisborne —Napier railway, Inangalmu—Westport railway, and the Nadand railway to Nelson. The officers of the Department liad been advised to put matters in motion to get ready for going right on with these works Definite instructions also had been given that surveyors were to be put on without delay' to putin hand the surveying of the South island trunk railway, and it was to be done as expeditiously' as possible. Sir Joseph Ward mentioned that there had always been croakers m regard to the various railway projects, including the Main Trunk, and lie emphasised that the Government would “not be deterred in its projects by suedi statements now. \\ ith regard to the Gisborne Napier fanway some question had been raised as* to the route. Naturally' those raising the questions were entitled to consideration. There was a difference of £600,000 between the routes and the official representations were quite clear that the shorter route, which would save £600,000. would meet the whole requirements. Before definitely deciding the matter, however, "a full report would be obtained If the results could be obtained by' saving £600.000 the Government would most unhesitatingly adopt that course.

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