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Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1924, Page 2

The Public AVorks Statement presented to Parliament this week, indicated thoughtful attention on the part of the Hon. Minister in charge to the public service under his direction. It is of course one of the most important branches of the public service, and in-

volves from first to last, a tremendous expenditure annually. Now that hydroelectric development is going ahead so quickly the volume of expenditure has been increased very substantially, an ding greatly to the cares and responsibilities of the office. A great expenditure is ear-marked for the North Island again, and this high proportion of the public outlay is one of the deciding factors no doubt in assisting t'• part of the Dominion to show the greater advancement. In times past the progress of the North Island, superior as it is to that of the South Island has heen attributed to climate, hut while this may he assisting in a measure the greatest factor is the large public expenditure which has been going on lor so long to open up the North Island with roads and railways This material expenditure is being maintained in both respects—in far with the highways policy, is being enhanced substantially, while in regard to hydro-electric expenditure again the North Island is receiving the lion's share. In the circumstances, with the bulk of the population predominating iu that quarter, it is not an inequitable position, and in the end the preference must come to a close. 'Hie Minister of the day has to exercise a wise discretion in these matters, and it cannot lie said that Mr Coates has been unduly unfair. The claims of the North Island are for the time paramount, and the position has to he accepted in that respect. On the whole the public funds available are being allocated very fair|v in respect to both Islands.

Thu district estimates include a substantial sum of money for roads. 'I here is not any provision for railways so that a larger quota is available for other public works including buildings, bridges and roads. The old complaint, however, lies, namely that the estimates are passed so late iu the year, that there are hut three months available iu which to account lor the expenditure. Tlie consequence is that every veur a large sum is earried over iu the nature of revotes. It is manilest that where bridge expenditure is involved there is considerable delay in canning out the works, and the local votes lot bridges will lie carried far into the next financial year. On this occasion there is a substantial vote for main highways in this district, hut the hulk of the money is earmarked for bridges, ami consequently the expenditure "ill extend over a protracted period. The chief work on the list is that for bridging the AVailio river. Ihe money provided is the revote lor last year s amount, but this, it is understood, "ill cover the material ordered irom Home for the suspension bridge which has I ecu designed. It is imdctstood that the work is not to he delayed unnecessarily. As soon as the mate;ial ordered from Kiigland arrives the work of erei lion is to proceed, and there is some hope of the bridge being flushed on with during next year. Quite a number of bridges are to he lebuilt on the Ross road, and where rebuilding; is decided upon it is believed the structures will lie in hard "nod. 'I lies more costly works minimise the amounts available lor actual loading, hut still r fair sum is available wliieli indicates that the petsisteney of the .Member for Westland (Mr o’lll icit) and the local lm:lv has had some reward.

Tun British Elections littvi' j^ivon tin outstanding roult tin 1 complete victory of the Conservatives. The victors Inive ;t two to one majority. ample in every wny to give them ;t (till term security ol ollice. The result is n <!••- eided blow at the aspirations of the l.iihnr party, 'this was conlrihnted to •.'really, it not entirely, hy the Communistic and Bolshevistic elements associated with Bailor. In other words, the extreme sections of the party were disposed to rule the government, and stolid John Bull would not accept that dictation. The l.ahor I’arly in its short turn of ollice did its host work in relation to the foreign policy, lint got out of its depth when temporising with the Hussion Soviet. Although Kino Kdwaid is credited with saving with a oood deal of truth that “we are all Socialists.” there are degrees of Socialism to which the multitude will not Mihseriho. It is plain that the Soviet brand is far too advanced for Britain, and the fact that l.ahor was disposed to loan towards that class of guvernmont, caused a revolt, in public political opinion in the I’nited Kingdom, the like of which has never been equalled before. The week pives British political history a new and special page, disclosing that patriotism still t.tands. first juml foremost with the people. There can he no meddling with the national affections when safety of country is involved, and that fact has been demonstrated by the overwhelming vote of the people on the plain issue put before the electors at the polling on Wednesday. The Conservative majority is so substantial that Bailor must give up the seals of ollice forthwith. The settled plan was for Bttbor to meet Parliament, disclose its policy, and allow the vote of the Commons to settle the matter. When that course of action was foreshadowed, the probable result ot’ the election wore a different complexion. The country lias decided whence shall come the government and what policy will Ih* accepted, and l.ahor must make room for the peoples’ choice. The verdict is probably the most, emphatic ever given in British history. Such a result makes the course open and plain, and when tho new Mouse assembles, no doubt, Mr Baldwin will face the attenuated Opposition as Prime Minister. On the whole it is well that the result has been decisive. It should mean both political ]>onoo and progress.

Till! Conservatives will doubtless reverses some cardinal features of the Bailout - Ministry’s acts. The new Government will have opposite views on the Singapore base question, which was well in the forefront of the issues at stake. With the hint at. possible American Naval developments in the Pacific,. Great Britain will find it necessary to give that quarter of the globe more than passing attention. Australia and New Zealand will at least get a better hearing front the new British Government than was vouchsafed hy the retiring Ministry—not only in respect to the Singapore base, but also in regard to the matter of trade within the Empire. Although preference is not to he a firstclass plank in the Conservative policy, it will not be surprising to see the McKenna duties restored in part or whole. In regard to matters of finance, and particularly in reference to the matter of exchange, the Oversea Dominions may bo|>e for more practical sympathy from the new Government. Mr Baldwin will experience some relief from a trouble some question in the fact that the German settlement is now on a definite basis, and a clear understanding arrived tit with France. As regards the Russian situation, it may he expected that Mr Baldwin will require more definite pledges from the Russian authorities than were given in the preliminary treaty waiting the ratification of the Commons, and Russia will not lie slow to realise the very definite change which lias come over public opinion. Chief of all. All - Baldwin will require to devise a TTonte policy to grapple liotli with unemployment and housing. These are two subjects Labor failed to handle successfully. The dole system will require to he tapered off and supplanted by something more practical in effective results? Then there is the Irish question

and the situation in India. lioth are perplexingly difficult. It will he seen that the new Government will enter upon a very complex task when it takes lip the reins of office. Rut the Government will have confidence in itself, for public opinion has said most decisively that the Conservatives must rule, and for hotter or worse the country must submit to the policy of that party for a regular term of office.