PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14769, 7 October 1921, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

ministerial statement rti.lV SYSTEM INTRODUCED. URGENCY NOT LOCALITY‘THE TEST (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTOX, Thursday. A statement of his principle in regard to public works in the Dominion was made by Hon. J. Go Coates to-day. in replying to an ulago deputation. Touching on electrical power, the Minister said Hie first thing lo he considered was the cost hi the consumer. Electric schemes would not give much relief to the unemployed, as expenditure on them was three-quarters for material and only one-quarter for labour. The deputation had said in regard to railways that Otago should have Us fair share. He did not subscribe to the "fair share” principle. Such works must he taken in order of urgency. That had not been done in New Zealand in (tie past. Members were responsible lo the whole Dominion, and should lake a wider view than their own districts. Possibly they might look for a curtailment on a good many works for a little while, with the exception of work for the unemployed. When new lines were proposed he would hand the surveys lo the Railway Department Lo ascertain the best running grade. He then proposed to cel some department—possibly that of Agriculture —to advise the Cabinet as to the amount of goods and produce likely t«i be carried over a line. Thus a clear | and definite statement could be made ( as to the earning power of a line. That j had never before been done in the Do- | minion, but he proposed to do that with i ail lines in future. He wanted the | Cabinet to have all data, just as a commercial man would have in a similar undertaking.