Too Much Money Is Being Spent Around Wellington

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1949, Page 7

Too Much Money Is Being Spent Around Wellington

Press AssociationA

(Per

AUCKLAND, Sept. 1. , "It staggered me to see what money was being spent on public works around Wellington," said Mr. J. 4. Johnston at the Auckland Ckamber or Commerce $ council meeting today. "You can't blame the Wellingtonians though for getting what tliey want while we hear a few vague reports oi works for Auckland and get nothing done. " Mr. Johnston said he understood tne "beautiful" top-level Johnsonville-. Tawa Flat road was' costing about £l,U0b,000 a mile. The Ngahauranga Gorge-Porirua highway wouid exeeeu the eost of the Auckland* ' harbour bridge yet there was no mention oi making' the road a toll road as there was to niake the bridge a toll bridge. Meu -were working on Saturday morning on the electrification of the Nae-nae-Vv ellington raiiway line while on the Rimutaka tunnel projeet three tunnels. were actually being driven. " It is no use Air. Semple telling us the Government is erecting houses as a couuterpart to Government works. Piousing is -part of another Government., programme. ' ' Ine president (Mr. A. G. Wilson) said the chamber intended to press the Government for action on works xor Auckland. "If there are to be no public works for Auckland," he addea, ' ' then building controls should be released for commercial building work."