PUBLIC WORKS METHODS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 153, 24 March 1920, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS METHODS

Sir, —1 note a correspondent in your ' paper attacks the Conference of tho Chnmbere of Commerce for supporting a motion calling for'the reorganisation of the Public Works Department. Ho was \ specially eloquent upon, tho folly of taking control of engineering works from tho engineers. If your correspondent had .been present at tho debate on the motion he would not have made such a strange ■mistake. We consider the present system undulv hampers the engineers, and allows political influence .and...pull to predominate. Wo considered . iilso that the system which has grown up within the Department is overburdened with vexatious red tape methods and -lends itself to undue delays in prosecuting the important, works entrusted to tho Department further, we considered suoa far-reaching economic •factors s-S hydroelectric installations, affecting the evorytiny life of tho nation, as, they do, are 100 important, to bo treated as a sub- • denartmont, and that it should havo its own head and its own staff charged with the dutv of constructing, administering, and developing tho water powers of tho Dominion. And with that end in viovr, wo rocommonded the appointment of a Hoard of Control, consisting ot. an engineer, accountant, and commercial man with full liowers to-construct and dovelop works, once they have ton divided on bv Parliament. Tho feeling of. distrust ami disappointment with public works methods is very'.generall. and in our opinion was fully justihed, but tho fanlt dow not- lio rith tho engineers, who have to do tho. best they can with tm> BTstem tbov must work undor.—l am, etc, ; ." ~-.':' v." 15. n. ORA#B, President PiNVChnmuor of^t'oinnioreo. Palmerston North; March "20. .'