EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 8

EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS

Dominion’s Capacity

Discussed

FUTURE DIFFICULTIES FORESEEN

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 9.

The capacity of New Zealand to stand up to an expenditure of £20,000,000 in one year on public works was questioned by the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Nat., Hurunui) during the debate on the Public Works Statement in the House of Representatives today. “We are told that this vast expenditure is prudent administration,” said Mr Forbes. “I think it is comparable with the rake’s progress.” No foresight whatever was being shown by the Government, continued Mr Forbes It imagined that so long as more and more men were put on as navvies all was well. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong): What did you do with them? Mr Forbes: Even with the limited number we had we were accused of making a nation of navvies. Today Labour members are throwing their hats in the air because thousands more men have been put on public works.

Mr W. J. Polson (Nat., Stratford): They have a navvy psychology. “According to the Budget,” said Mr Forbes, “the Government is going to receive in taxation something like £30,000,000 —a record. In spite of that we have an army of public works men and it is increasing all the time. We are travelling along a road that is going to prove difficult for this country in the years to come.” Mr Armstrong: Poor old Calamity George.

“We have got to look at things soberly,” said Mr Forbes. “I like to see roads irhproved. The question is: Can we afford to pour out £20,000,000 in one year on public works? My belief is that it can’t be done without throwing the whole of the economic structure out of balance.”