THE PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2236, 13 November 1907, Page 4

THE PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

THE TOURIST DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. IRRIGATION OF CENTRAL OTAGO (Special to Tirnos.) WELLINGTONj Nov. 12. Mr. Massey, Leader of tlio Opposition, opened the dobato on tho Public Works Statement, last ovoning in a forciblo and critical speech. Ho complained very bitterly about tho ■want of consideration shown in making roads for settlers in tho backblocks. Many of tho roads wore absolutely impassable, and it. was no wonder that members after reading tho Estimates wore furiously angry. They found on looking through tho Estimates that' settlers in tho backblocks linyL been neglected while money was to be votod for borouglis and even for streets in boroughs. Mr. Masey raised a strong protest against tho extravagant expenditure in connection with the Tourist Department. Last year out of tho Public Works and tile Consolidated Funds they had voted £70,000 in connection with tourists, and this year it was proposed to spend £60,000. Mr. Poland: There is £27,000 for tourist roads this year. Mr. Massey: Yes, it seems very much’ like sxieiiding 25s for a sovereign. On some other points Mr. Massey, congratulated tho Government. For instance, ho complimented them upon their cautiousness in tho matter of the utilisation of the Dominion’s water-power, and on their expressed intention of giving telephono' facilities to settlers in country districts. The Premier, in reply, said that the expenditure this year, oxceptiug the last two preceding years, was larger than it had been for 21 years. Tho country*was inaking.au enormous expenditure on public works. Ho defended the voto for the Tourist Department on the ground that it brought to New Zealand people who spent largo sums of money in travelling through the country. He pointed out. that £27,000 was for roads, and tlio probability was that even it there were no such. Department nearly all the money would laave to be spent. Ho pointed out, too, that the revenue from tho Department had last year increased by £2600, the total now being £15,202. He maintained that tho allocation for railways had been fair ,and could not be increased unless the borrowing was increased'beyond the usual million Joan. In regard to Central Otago, he said it was the intention of tho Government next year to as'k for the necessary authority to spend up to the full £IOO,OOO on irrigation, because tho Government was in earnest in this matter of trying to develop tho interior of Otago, which would with water bo as productive as .any other part ol the Dominion. With a public works expenditure of £2,100,000, members should bo reasonable, and there was no use their criticising when the Government was doing its best to allocate the money at their disposal.