D.—l

XXI

Tlie above graph shows the growth of irrigation under Government schemes for the last ten years. ROAD-CONSTRUCTION. The past financial year saw a very extensive roading programme undertaken, with the result that the expenditure on the various types of roadwork was particularly heavy, a total sum of £2,158,056 having been expended on the construction of roads and main highways, as against £1,770,073 for the preceding year. Roads other than main highways accounted for £1,060,908 of this sum, and main highways £1,097,148, compared with £833,577 and £936,496 for 1928-29. It will be seen that a very considerable increase took place in the expenditure, and, in explanation of this, I wish to point out that it was accounted for largely by the provision that had to be made to meet the unemployed situation. A large number of men were engaged throughout the year on relief works on roads in various parts of the Dominion. In addition to the construction of new roads the services of unemployed were utilized in widening and improving alignments and grades on many of the more important roads, and a great deal of very satisfactory work of this nature was completed. Many of the poorer-class roads were improved to such an extent that they are now in a condition to receive metal, and metalling may be proceeded with immediately the necessary funds can be made available. It will be essential, of course, for the local bodies to finance a portion of the cost of metalling. "When the estimates were in course of preparation last year it was decided to amend the system of automatically allocating the funds under the " Roads " vote. The proposed amendments were explained in detail in my predecessor's last statement, and the amended system proved very satisfactory, having met the requirements of the districts generally in a better manner than had been the case previously. It was anticipated that some of those districts, whose quotas had been reduced as a result of the alterations which were made, would experience a certain amount of difficulty for the first year, and this was the case. In most instances, however, the position has righted itself, and there should not be any further difficulty in this respect.