AN OPTIMISTIC MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2241, 29 August 1914, Page 8

AN OPTIMISTIC MINISTER

... WORK FOR ALL. ■-. : An emphatic statement was made in the House of Representatives' on Thursday by the Minister for Public Works in reply to members, who urged that public works should be prosecuted to provide employment for men who were deprived of their usual occupations by the effects of the war. ; '

Mr. Fraser-said he was now engaged upon the preparation of the Publio Works Estimates, and he was framing them.as if there: was no war. Hie intention was, in fact, to provide for an oven larger expenditure~than last year, aud if the Government waa fortunate enough to obtain the money tho works could be carried out. . Mr. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) asked whether subsidies would be provided for those, districts in which no public works were'to bo undertaken. The Minister replied that, he could, not promise to say that subsidies would be provided to keep unemployed in any particular district. . Work would be required by men who were not accustomed to navvying, and the work would have to bo provided in districts where it could be done with the greatest economy. ■'■••■ ~-•-.

"Tho intensity of the struggle will not bo mot anymoro easily," Mr. 'Fraser continued, "by circulating all sorts of foolish, stupid rumours that will cause people'to dispense with the services of employees.; ; Ten thousand strong young men are going away, and their places must sureiy be taken by those who talk of being unemployed. It is no use men saying they will not go into the, country and do farm work. I say that the tilling of the soil and the milking of cows will be of first importance, and must be attended to before public works or'anything.else. People-.must realise that a time may. come wlieh tlioro will not be a choice of emplo} , - ment. Surely this country has not come to such a condition that there is no employment beyond the making of roads and bridges.'' •■.■,'

Tho officers, N.C.O.'s, and men of the' Garrison -Artillery Division wish to. thank those who have so kindly sent gifts of papers, magazines, books, etc., which have been ereatly appreciated. ■ The Gladstone Football Olub' has decided not to hold its annual ball this year on account of tho war. It has-fur-ther decided to-donate the credit'balanceheld (£8), to the war funds, as' well as Us joi'Bcys' for. the men to wear oil board -«Wa* ■'''-.. ■ ' ..' '.'.' "■•■" ■