PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 17830, 6 September 1916, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS

THE MONEY AVAILABLE, STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER, (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, September 5. A pronouncement on the position of public works finances was given by the Hon, W. Eraser at Hamilton to-day to a large deputation of local body delegates. The Minister said that the object of his visiting country districts was purposely to tell local bodies exactly how much had been authorised and how much was still available for expenditure. He made It quite clear at the outse.t that lie was absolutely restrained from making further authorisations. The total of the unexpended money was £698,245, and Parliament had authorised him to spend £390,000. Of the latter sum he had reserved £32,000 specially as a flood damage fund. Deducting from £356,000 (the total amount of the authorities issued), the sum of £24.528, already issued ns flood damage grants, etc., there remained £322,000 as authorities issued for roads and bridges. Deducting the latter sum from the amount available (£358,009) there was a balance of roughly £26,000 yet to be authorised. At tlic end of the year there would doubtless be a substantial amount of unexpended grants. The £26,000 would no doubt be exceeded, but he must hold over this unexpended balance for the purpose of equalising the position of several of the counties. Mr Eraser pointed out that the money referred to did not include £50,000 from the Consolidated Fund for the upkeep of main roads. Public bodies must not run away with the idea that the authorities were all spent. They were far from that. Altogether a sum of something like £260,000 was unspent out of authorities issued, therefore there was plenty to come and go on during the next six or eight months. While not. prepared to make further authorisations lie was ready to consider the transfer of money already authorised for certain works for expenditure on works of greater urgency and importance.