The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1927. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1927. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The Public Works Statement this year is a plain unvarnished record of what has been performed and what is to be attempted. The Public Works Department is a considerable spending machine, illustrated by the fact that for this financial year authority is being taken to find nearly ten millions of money to discharge too obligations ol the Department. Last year the expenditure was upwards of seven millions. As the Department is fullhanded always as regards works, it may be expected that if the extra money proposed can lie raised, the outlay this financial year will be greater than the year under review, ltoads and railways arc not the only charge of tho Department nowadays. Hydroelectric expenditure is now very great, while harbours, drainage, and other necessities of settlement, call for large annual outgoings. The Minister In his review of tho year’s work stresses what is happening in regard to transport matters over tho roads, and tho necessity there is to improve roads generally to carry tho motor traffic, which, in point of fact, is a growing quantity. Tt is recognised by the Government that tho expenditure in the matter of roads must he an increasing amount. Tho Minister analyses the position very accurately when lie refers to the palpable increase in motor traffic. On that point, ho says, it is “quite apparent that some further assistance must be given to local authorities fo cope with an increased expenditure, tho greater part of which increase is directly traceable to the use of motor vehicles. More might be done to reduce the wear and tear on the roads by restricting, in accordance with tho heavy traffic regulations, the weights and speeds of the vehicles which are permitted to travel on them, and I think this course should be followed by local authorities in cases where their roads are breaking up and funds for reconstruction are not available. This principle, if carried too far, would cause administrative difficulties and might ho considered as unduly throttling road transport and thereby possibly creating hardship on tlie very people it was intended to help. AVe have therefore reached the point where either fresh taxation must he levied or the good work which has been initiated in the past three years must ease off, which latter course will he disappointing alike to the motorists, the local authorities, and the men engaged on the work. The improved loading facilities already provided have allowed motorists of all classes an opportunity to travel more economically and into districts removed from their own. This has resulted not only in the use and wear of the main highways, but in a great deal of extra wear and tear on the subsidiary or settlers’ roads, with the result, that tho ratepayers in a number of districts now find themselves loaded up to breakingpoint with rates, and at the same time they are faced with the fact that their roads are deteriorating.” This is a common sense view of the general situation. and it is satisfactory to note that it is realised in high places. Mr Williams is equally clear in his review of the position regarding relief works, and the fact that this class of occupation must not be made attractive or it will become a permanent charge. At the same time we regard the relief works in the manner now conducted as unsatisfactory, and often wasteful. Thev are usuallv of the native of “extra’’ works organised to fill in for the time being- Sir Joseph Ward’s idea was that where there were unemployed they should be engaged on national

works under a proper reproductive .system. The expenditure would then be I,y plan to provide some work A\hich would have national and ultimate roproduetivc value. 'l'lie Dominion e-X----penditure on account ol water works has been very groat. So much has been performed that there should soon ho a slackening oil’, or the works will he loaded with too huge a capital cost to ensure redemption within a reasonable time. Works of this nature create a class of labor difficult to provide for where they cease, which is another aspect of the unemployed question requiring solution. The praise the Alinister gives his Departmental officers is not undeserved. Some great public works have been carried through in a manner creditable to the engineering skill of the officers, and we may infer that the internal administration of the Department is equally satisfactory. Altogether the Public Works Department may lie regarded as a- very creditable branch of the public administrat ion.