Public Works Statement

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 October 1915, Page 2

Public Works Statement

The iion. William Fraser, Minister of Public "Works, delivered the Public Works in the House of ltepresoutatives last night. He said:—

When 1 delivered the Public Works Statement last year the general .impression was that the war would uofc last much more than one year. At ipresent who will venture to predict when the war will terminate? It is a somewhat extraordinary tact that notwithstanding the thousands of workei-s who have joined the Expeditionary Forces, some o,OOU men still required to be engaged on public works to prevent the cry of unemployment being heard. This in some .measure is explainable during the winter months, but not so during summer and autumn, when shearing, harvesting, and the other operations incidental to the primary industries will require a considerable amount of labour. Tht.se "primary industries must be country as a Avholo will That this labour may "have to Iju i>rorifled for by slackening off work on railways, roads, and bridges during summer and autumn is very probable. There is no intention to exploit labour on behalf of those carrying on such industries, but employment on puhlic works cannot bo found for those to whom work at fair rates is offered elsewhere. It is generally recognized that it will not he wise during the continuance of the war to expend more horrowed money than is absolutely necessary.

The expenditure during the financial year ended 31st March, 19U-£2,949. 992-- constituted a record, hut the similar expenditure tor 1914-15 was actually larger—viz.. £2,953,3<j8-- made up of 'ea.835.692 under the Public Works Fund ami allied special account, and £117,670 under the Consolidated fund.

WAYS AND MEANS. On the lsi April, I'M. the available ways and means lor public-works purpose*; 'were £1,178,584. And further funds were received as under •-• Under the Aid to Public Works and land Settlement Act. 1913. £217,778. I nder the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 11)1-1, £1.525,000 Under the Noav Zealand Loans Act. LOOB. £26,111. Premium on sale of 4-pcr-cent. debentures '£8,750 Transfer from revenue. £350.000 Other receipts. £9.422. .Making a gross total of JC3.31/MMB. The ordinary expenditure of the. year amounted to £2.557.295. charges and expenses in respect of raising loans £35, -195. redemption or debentures £11,800 and others expenditure £15.290, thus bringing the total disbursements up to t.2.(519,889. and leaving a credit balance at- trio end of the year of £(595,762. For the current year it if? proposed to provide additional funds as under •-- I'idanoe of .authorized loan-moneys £1. -17(5.100. Proposed new loan. £2,000,000. The above, -with the balance brought forward, gives a gross total of £-1,171, 8(52. The estimated expenditure for public- works for the current year (excluding separate accounts having their own ways and means) amounts to £2, 8"3.550. leaving an estimated balance ■>( L'!.3(i8.3]2 to be carried forward to nest year (1916-17). In addition to the above we have iiuThority to raise, outside the Public Works Fund, the undermentioned sums:— Under the Aid to Water-power Works Act. 1910 • £2(5,000 Coder the Irrigation and Water-supply Act. 1913. £29,900 I nder the Waihotr and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act 1910. £50,090 U AIL W A Y-CONSTR lO! lON. The total expenditure on railwaycoiisitructiofii and improvement work during last financial year amounted to L'1,155,77(3, as under:— Construction of new lines. £616.57S Additions to open lines. £409.875 Hallways Improvement Aecou'it £9.023 ROADS AND IiU'O(«V.S The total amount pro ,; dul on last financial year's appropr at ions ur.dc-r all votes and accounts (."c'.'i-'inji the Consolidated Fund Vote for Maintenance, but excluding the Laud for Soil lenient Account—loading) was £1.070,300 The amount authorized tor ex; (ndilure lor the twelve months ai:.---<> i:cd to U'66,237, leaving an unexpend-' Valance at 31st March last oi £531,164. For tlio current year the provision made for roads and bridges has not been limited on account of prevailing conditions, but it must of course le understood that the authorization of expenditure will be dependent upon the Government's ability to raise the necessary loan Tor public-works purposes. Moreover, it is not intended that the ways and means provided shall bo expended by 31st March, 1915. but they are expected to suffice till 31st December. 1916, or even, if necessary, t' /Afit March, 1917. GENERAL The new Parliament Building* again absented the largest item of expenditure under this heading, but the work has been delayed owing to difficulty 'U obtaining suitable marble. Tins difficulty has now been overcome, and as the-marble will soon be in Wellington, it is hoped that the work wilUhen.be earned on with' more expedition than has hitherto been 'possible. MENTAL HOSPITALS. The erection of one unit at Tokanui to accommodate 'forty patients was completed early in the year, and a second unit of approximately the same size

is now well in hand. Male and female auxiliary buildings at Avondalc were completed under contract. Day rooms were added at I'orirua, and a receiving ward at the same place is approaching completion. A .similar ward is "being added to Sunny-side, and a cottage for <men is beiug built at Soacliff. The current year's estimates include substantial votes for continuing the works at each of the principal institutions mentioned. AGKIOULTUHE. On account of the conditions existing as a result of toe war some works of importance, but not urgent, were held over. It has however, been decided to provide additional accommodation for learners at both the Mouiualiaki and Weraroa Experimental Farms. to instal a water-supply at •Moumahaki, and to provide additional buildings at the Moumhaki and Tauranga Experimental Fanns, also fy continue the land-dra^HMlthi Units at Raukura Farm orMJFiction. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. The expenditure authorized last year, for some two hundred dwellings, was £'100,000. Of tin's amount £08,27.1 was paid during the year, and the balance of the expenditure appears in this year's accounts. in response to further applications the erection of an additional hundred -dwellings has been decided upon, for which the estimated expenditure is £50.000. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, the ability to give effect to the proposals set forth in the Statement will depend on the response of the public to the loan proposals of the Minister of Finance. The great importance of developing the resources of the "Dominion by constructing roads, bridges, and railways will certainly not be lost sight of, but it is necessary to emphasize the fact some reduction in the rate of expenditure on such works be expressed under the very living conditions consequent in the war.