PLANS MADE FOR INCREASE

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 6

PLANS MADE FOR INCREASE

POSTWAR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Special) WELLINGTON, August 9. “With the substantial reduction that is taking place in our war programme within the Dominion, particularly in building and construction works, it has been possible to provide for a material increase in national development. This is in line with the Government’s policy of providing a sound basis on which to build for our postwar development, in addition to having in readiness the utmost facilities for repatriating servicemen,” said the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, in his Budget speech tonight. Mr Nash added: “Land is required for settlement of the men, homes must be built on the land so ■ purchased, and roading is essential. If shipping for the plant and equipment can be provided, electricity must be made available to supply light and power to the new consumers on the land and to the new industries being established. Housing, which of necessity was largely in abeyance while men and materials were diverted to buildings for war purposes, is now being accelerated to the fullest extent that available resources will permit. A further item to which considerable attention is now being paid is improvements to our railway system, particularly rolling-stock, as this vital part of our internal economy must be ready to play its part in post-war development, and considerable leeway has to be made up in this connection. “The works to which I have referred will absorb most of the additional loanmoneys being provided this year. After allowing for funds available at the. beginning of the year and miscellaneous receipts, the total loan-moneys required are £16,650,000 as compared with £11,148,000 raised last year. The following figures show clearly the increased programme for the more important works:— 1944-45 1945-46 £ £ Housing 4,431,000 5,590,000 Electric supply 2,720,000 4,000,000 Land for settlement Nil 2,500,000 Railways improvements 343,000 1,600,000 Full particulars of these and the other smaller though important capital works will be found in the estimates.

“All the money required to be provided for these works will again be raised from lending departments of the State.” ~