The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th, 1921. PUBLIC WORKS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th, 1921. PUBLIC WORKS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

Some pertinent comments are made by the "New Zealand Herald’’ on the twin subjects of unemployment and public works. Our contemporary says: |he increase of unemployment in Christchurch again raises acutely the question ot the public works policy of the Government. It is stated that the men seeking work are tor the most part unskilled labourers, but the Labour Department has no authority to send them to public works. It is tally- time the country was informed definitely what the public works programme for the winter is to lie. There is no ?nore important duty lying upon the Government than to proceed with the development of the national resources through foul weather and fair, and il 1 elief works become necessary they could take no better form than railway and road construction. Yet in face of this very obvious call for a courageous policy the Acting Prime Minister has hinted at a very serious limitation of the activities of the public Works Department.” The Auckland Reform journal adds: “The plain fact is that public works were never more opportune or necessary in New Zealand than to-dav, and not for several years has there been so good a chance of recruiting labour for national development. Yet this is the moment the Government is apparently choosing for a slackening of effort which may conceivably necessitate the <\stal>lishment of relief works of an artificial and far less productive character. Sir Francis Bell pleads the necessity for husbanding the national finances, but until he lays before the country a precise statement of the finances, including the accounts for the year ended March 31st., he can hardly expect his ipse dixit to go unchallenged. The restriction of public works is so serious a step that it should not he taken if it is avoidable. Until the facts are made public it is impossible to form an opinion; all that can be said is that Sir Francis Bell’s pessimism contrasts curiously with the optimism shown bv Mr Massey little more than a week ago.” To this, the Lyttelton Times adds that Mr Massey showed a few weeks ago that the money available for for public works on March 1 was £1,369,841. Subsequently the Prime Minister said the surplus of the Consolidated Fund for the financial yejtr just closed was “greater than had been ever imagined or thought of.” He also stated, two and a half weeks ago, that the financial position of the Dominon was “as sound as anything could be” and that there was sufficient, money to see the country through to the end of the present year. These glowing tributes, rendered by Mr Massey to his performance as Minister of Finance and head of the Government are in strange conflict with the gloomy and frugal attitude of his principal colleagues on the question of public works.