PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

Evening Star, Issue 22446, 17 September 1936, Page 15

PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

VIGOROUS DEVELOPMENT DISASTROUS CUTS OF REGENT YEARS Summarising his policy in the Public Works Statement, put before tho House yesterday, the Minister (the Hon. 11. Semple) said:— I now wish to outline the Government’s proposals for works to give employment to as large a number of men as possible. When the Government assumed office at the beginning of December, 1935, 13,696 men were employed on public works, of whom 8,289 were employed on relief work, while for tho week ended August 15, 1936, 15,851 men were employed, most of whom were on standard works. It is intended to increase the number employed on public works to 20,000 as soon as possible. It will bo seen from the estimates of expenditure for tiie Consolidated Fund already submitted to Parliament that provision has been made for the assistance hitherto provided from unemployment taxation for public works activities now being found from ordinary revenue. The principal amounts are:— For irrigation £97,500 For land improvement £71,000 For additions and improvements to open railway lines £77,000 In addition, the Consolidated Fund is providing £39,000 towards the construction and improvement of settlement roads, £20,000 towards the cost of renewal of rpad bridges, £BO,OOO for restoration of road works, bridges, etc , damaged by Hoods, and £20,000 for maintenance and repair of roads. For the construction of aerodromes and emergency landing grounds £341,000 is .being provided, whereas the expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for this service last year was £6,196. Provision has also been made under the Consolidated Fund this year for £IOO,OOO for the purchase of modern plant, which is additional to the amount of £90,000 for plant for main highways. Tho total vote for maintenance of public works and services under the Consolidated Fund is £1,182,500, as compared with an expenditure of £145,492 from this fund last year. I am anxious to pursue an energetic policy of public works so as to provide national assets and at the same time assist in relieving the_ distress caused by the drastic cessation of oontructional works by the late Government. From 1919 to 1931 expenditure increased from £1,350,408 to £B,388,529. In 1932 it dropped to ' £4,815,542, in 1933 to £1,727,076, „ and during the years ended March 31, 1934, 1935, and 1936, expenditure was £2,087,781, £2,242,535, and £2,484,561. AVhon it is remembered that business develops under settled conditions it will be realised that any sudden disturbance is fraught with far-reaching consequences. The reduction in expenditure from loan money of £6,661,453 in two lyears was disastrous, as when public works should have been expanding an opposite policy was being followed. The present Government is attempting to remedy the position by providing for a reasonable development of the national resources, using ordinary revenue to assist where . the works are of such a nature as not to realise a full return of the annual cost. A study of the proposed expenditure on public works for this _ year shows that much the greater portion is needed for means of transport and travel. Under broad headings, the proposed expenditure is as follows: — (1) Construction of means of communication and transport (railways, highways, roads, harbours, and aerodromes) ••• 5,605,700 (2) Land development, including settlement of unemployed workers ... ... 959,000 (3) Erection of public buildings 1,215,000 (4) Development of electric power ... 764,000 £8,543,700