PUBLIC WORKS FINANCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2869, 6 September 1916, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS FINANCE

STATEMENT BY HON. W. ERASER.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, September 5.

A pronouncement on the position of Public Works finances was given by the Hon, W. Fraser at Hamilton- today to a large' deputation ■of local bodies' delegates. '

The Minister said his object in touring the country districts was purposely to toll local bodies exactly bow much had been authorised and how much ■was still available for expenditure. He made it quite clear at the outset that he was absolutely restrained from making -further authorisations. The total of unexpended moneys was £698,245, and Parliament had authorised him to spend £390,000. Of the latter sura he had reserved £32,000 specially as k flood damage fund, deducting from £356,000 (the total amount of authorities issued) the sum of £24,528 already issued as flood damage grants, there remained £832,000 as authorities issued for roads and bridges', and deducting the latter sum from the amount available (£35,800) there was a balance of, roughly, "£26,000 yet to bo authorised. As at the end of the year there would doubless be a substantial amount of unexpended grants, the £26,000 would no doubt be exceeded, but he must hold over this unexpended balance for the purpose of equalising the position of several of the counties. Mr. Frascr pointed out that the money referred to did not include £50,000 from the Consolidated Fund for ; the upkeep of main roads. Public bodies must not 'ium away with the idea "EBat the authorities were all' spent. They were far from that. Altogether something like £260,000 was unspent out of the . authorities issued, and there was, therefore, plenty to come and go on' during the next six or eight months. While not prepared to make further authorisations, lie was ready to consider the transfer of money already authorised for certain works for expenditure on works of greater urgency and importance.