PUBLIC WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4878, 16 September 1925, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS.

PRESENTATION OF STATEMENT. OBSERVATIONS BY MINISTER. Yesterday marked the sixth occasion on which the Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister and Minister for Public Works, has presented the annual Public Works Statement to Parliament. “In last year’s statement the tendment Mr Coates says : — “In last year’s Statemnet the tendency of some workers to look upon loan moneys as a means of providing them with an opportunity of earning their living was stressed and condemned. The number of wbrks of pressing need during the year has been so great that, instead of a reduction, there has been an increase—of nearly a thousand —in the number of men employed on public works. This position need create no anxiety, as the works undertaken areof public utility and directly or indirectly remunerative. With the exception of the year 1922 when costs were higher, last year’s expenditure proved a record. It is gratifying to be able to add that , the amount of work done was relatively greater. This last is due to the excellent work of the department’s engineers and other officers, and to the industry and loyal co-operation of all other’ employees, and I take this opportunity of expressing my (sincere thanks and appreciation.

“While it is inevitable that public works of a varied and extensive nature should be carried on in developing a young country, if these are .not to prove wasteful and unremurierative it is sesential that the sources of wealth-production should be expanded concurrently. One of the most difficult tasks of .the Minister for Public Works ip to balance and utilise money and labour available so that progress may not be hindered, while production is increased sufficiently to allay all anxiety as, tb the source from which the interest on moneys expended will accrue.

“The pronouncements made in London recently concerning the necessity of rationing loan moneys compel us to consider very carefully our programme of proposed public works, so that any curtailment of our activities contingent upon the difficulty of borrowing may be effected without serious dislocation of the labour m'arket and with the minimum of inconvenience to the Workers. . “At intervals throughout the year exceptionally bad' weather caused widespread damage. In some cases streams rose to heights never before recorded, destroying protective structures which had proved adequate for half a century. This will necessitate bridges, new protective works, etc., of more generous proportions and of a greater cost than those which have been destroyed. Similar catastrophes, have occurred in countries settled for and thousands of years therefore, however unfortunate, it is not surprising that such things should happen in New Zealand, where We have the records of but a few years to guide us. At the present stage of the development of oui‘ country it may prove more economical to put up structures suitable enough for all ordinary conditions, even at t he risk of a similar occurrence, than to pay interest on the larger sum necessary to build above recorded flood risks. “The increasing amount of money which is being expended annually by the Government and' by local bodies is a matter which arrests attention and demands the consideration of all concerned. To my mind this is a subject of paramount importance, and should command the racist earnest attention not only of members of this House, but of all local bodies and of the public generally. I may best open discussion bn this question by observing that in 1920, when I became Minister for Public Works, I undertook a critical investigation of all works then in progress. The further I investigated the firmer I became convinced that the capital cost of works was being piled up by following a policy of diffusion —finance available being spread over tod many undertakings, instead of being concentrated upon the most urgent and pushing the same forward with all possible speed, commensurate with efficiency, to a point which would ensure a return upon capital costs. The result is obvious. Capital expended not only failed to earn revenue at the earliest passible moment or provide equivalent benefits, but, by added interest and other charges on unproductive expenditure, the cost of such undertakings was considerably increased. With these facts before me it became my duty to select such works as were most urgent in the public interest, and promised the best and speediest return, and to push them to complex tian with all possible expedition.”