The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY. AUGUST 23,1920.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY. AUGUST 23,1920.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Hon Minister of Public Works displays the modesty expected of the Hon. K. S. Williams in the opening phrases of the annual Public Works Statement which it was his duty to produce for the first time on Friday last. He had hut recently taken office and in compiling his report he had to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Rt. Hon J. G. Coates, who has come to lie regarded as a very successful Minister of Public Works. It was in that connection that he earned something of his reputation as “the man who got things done.” Mr Williams is therefore following in well defined footsteps, and he has patterned well. Mr Coates reformed the methods of the Public

Works Department in many ways, not the least important of which was the greater responsibility thrown on his officers, whom he expected to jtbrvc the country faithfully. In that way he got ii degree of team work not possible before, and under the conditions imposed, the staff responded well. Another reform was the effort to do away with the political allocation of funds. A system was devised winch was intended to be equitable to all parts, being based on essential lactors ot settlement, area, and local ability to help. The appropriation became the basis of authorisation also. Mr Williams expresses his intention of carrying on in the same manner. We suggest, by the way, that one branch of the expenditure ho should look into, and ascertain how it is working under the system devised, is the expenditure under the tourist heading. That is plainly not being carried out. equitably, noy in relation to. the attractions of the localities. The Public Works Department is a great spending Department. This is evidenced b,v the total outgoing last year which reached almost seven millions and a half. There is little sign of that rate of expenditure being decreased. for ways and means are available this year in regard to general purposes totalling nearly eleven millions. This large sum does not include over two millions to he borrowed during the year for railway works. It would appear therefore that the Minister of Public Works has liberal funds at his disposal to continue an active works policy. The summary attached to the report which lias boon published already. outlined the general activities of the Department, and the works are to go on on similar lines. Xew Zealand will continue to he served well in parts, hut there are places which will complain of the lack of attention in railway and road facilities which are held, locally, to lie so desirable. In the matter of railways the Coast is not receiving much favor. The Glenliope railway lias come practically to a standstill, judging by the Minister's comments. The Westport railway is still hastening very slowly, and its accomplishment is as remote as ever it was. There is no provision at all for extending the Ross railway. What is to he done about it? The Minister lias expressed his intention of visiting the district in the recess, and some local plan should lie formulated to bring about a. favourable review of the position in one wav or another. If the railway is not going to materialise within a reasonable time, what of increasing tile efficiency of transport l>y the main south road. The main south road is a main highway, and unless the railway is gone on with there should Ik> an insistent demand for the road to bo brought up to the requirements of a main highway. All streams should be bridged without delay, and many dangerous sections should he widened. There should be a demand for a substantial expenditure on the road if it is the policy of the Government not to go on with the railway line. The public bodies of the district should go carefull'- into this matter, for it -appears funds can he found in large sums for other parts of the Dominion, and hero where there is a call Tor development a reasonable share should ho forth coming. The onus of asking for that share is on the people themselves.