WORKS OR THE WAR?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 252, 12 July 1918, Page 5

WORKS OR THE WAR?

. Q .SIB WILLIAM PHASER'S VIEWS. "There is not a shilling available except for tho war—not'a shilling," was the burden of a reply by Sir William Fraser to a deputation from the Waimarino district, which waited upon him yesterday to ask for improved roads in that district. It had been said by the Mayor of Ohakuno that a certain important road in the district was impassable for motor traffic during nine months of the year, although, ho admitted, it might bp passable for drays for six months. Ho urged that good roads were essential to efficiency in production, without which it would not bo possible for New Zealand to carry the burden of tho cost of the war. Sir William Fraser said that he in completo agreement that a certain' amount of expenditure on public works would help Now Zealand to carry on the war, but thero was no money available for those works. It was no use to blink the matter—the money was simply not here. He believed that before the end of Maroh the next twonty-million loan would have to be raised, and with another twenty millions taken from the people there would be little left for publio works. Ho did not see how any money oould be used until after the war for the making of roads snitable for motor traffic. At present the Government could not oven make new roads to any extent, and the Government would not metal new roads unless the local body paid half of tho cost. ======== I