PUBLIC WORKS VOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1927, Page 1

PUBLIC WORKS VOTES

■■■■- [by telegraph—per tress association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. S. A sharp reminder that the votes of electors will not rest with him personally. or with the Government, in deciding on Hho allocation of Public \V orks votes of moneys was given by tbe Hon. Air Williams, for Public V, orks, to a deputation at Takahuo to-day. The deputation was urging on the Minister the desirability of improving the steep road over the Takaliue saddle, ami it was made evident that- Mr Coates, as Alinister for Public Works, had promised that a grant of £l-500 would he made for the work. Parliament had passed tho vote, but the expenditure of the money had not been authorised. At the bottom of the trouble it was evident that there was a difference of opinion between the ifficers of the Public Works Department ami the settlers as to whether the grant was to be a free one, or whether it was to come out of the county allocations. Both of the County Councils concerned, the Hokianga and Mangomi i Councils, had definitely intimated that they would have nothing to do with the work if the grant was to come out of the allocations for roads made to them by the Public Works Department. A member of the deputation, Mr D.

Banks, in urging the importance of the road as a connexion between the two settlements, contended that it was understood that the grant was a free one. and he went on to say that at the last election the people of the district had stuck to their member, Mr Allan Bell, but if the Government was not prepared to adhere to its promise concerning the road the electors would be compelled to revise their politics. They might be only a. small community, but, nevertheless they counted. “As .far as politics are concerned, I can tell you straight that I am not

going to he bounced by any member or body of people into the expenditure of public money.” said the Minister when the deputation bad expressed its views. “Whatever promise Mr Coates has made to you I will keep, but T will not lie bounced. I don’t care whether I am in Parliament for five minutes.” The Minister’s remarks received the approval of other settlers, while MiBell dissociated himself from any suggestion that the Government might he held to ransom with regard to Public Works expenditure.