A GLOWING PROSPECT

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 2, 27 September 1902, Page 2

A GLOWING PROSPECT

The Public Works Statement

IT would be difficult to prepare a more alluring and fascinating general election manifesto than the Public Works Statement presented by the Government. It is a challenge to the pessimists, an assertion of abounding prosperity, an undeniable bid for confidence and popularity. What could withstand a Government that offers the country a public works expenditure of nearly two millions-and-a-quarter in a single year? Did we say in a single year? Why, six months of the year are already gone, the loan is not yet raised, so that if the money were in hand to-morrow the proposals are really equivalent to an expenditure of the greater part of two-and-a-quarter millions in six months. Marvellous !

Truly, the votes have been scattered with no niggardly hand. Starting with a nuarter-of-a-niillion for the North Island Main Trunk Railway, which ought to satisfy everyone in the North, there is £100,000 for the Otago Central and another £100,000 for the Midland Railway, and so on in proportion. Paeroa-Waihi is promised £25,000, the North Auckland extension is credited with £20,000, and even the Kawakawa - Grahamtown line gets £20,000. And this is independent altogether of the considerable votes for new roads designed to open fresh lands for settlement^ as well as old roads, to say nothing of bridges, public buildings and other necessary public works.

There is, however, a fly in our amber. Where is the money to come from ? It was telegraphed from Wellington the other day that the Government had temporarily borrowed £100,000 from a certain insurance company. This does not look as if they were Hush of money. Then we were informed that it was not considered expedient to approach the London money market until February. That is four or five months distant. Where then is the money to come from in the meantime? Are the railway works to stand idle, or to be carried on in a pottering style, until the loan is raised? Also, if so, and the loan is not available until February, how can £2,193,052 be spent by March 31et, which is the end of the financial year. Somehow it seems, as things are, that the Government might just as well have promised half-a-million to the North Island Trunk Railway and increased the other votes in proportion. The promises would have boomed the elections, and the money is not likely to be spent.

All that is necessary to make the Public Works Statement thoroughly acceptable to the people is unlimited Faith. Indeed, as it is, Faith has necessarily become an important element in our political creed. In this matter of future railway worka expenditure, it is essential. Probably, if

we can amend the scriptural maxim to read "Sir Joseph will provide," and, folding our hands, rest easy in our minds, all may yet be well. But when the elections are over and the Government are once more secure on the Treasury Benches, it is to be hoped that we may not wake up and find that we have got " Faith and not Works."