PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 415, 18 November 1911, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE.

DEPARTMENTAL EXPLANATION. Speaking at Taumarunui on the subject of public works expenditure and the apparent discrepancy between the published balance-sheet each year and the actual expenditure on roads, Mr Jennings said there had been much hostile criticism levelled at the department in consequence of lack of knowledge of the actual position. He had to confess that the position as it appeared to the public was dicftiult to understand. This was on account of the balance-sheet only being made up to March 31st, and the statement being issued some months later. If the figures for the following six months could be added on to the published statement the position would bear a very different aspect. He had just received the figures detailing the expenditure in the Taumarunui electorate for the six months ending September 31st, and they showed that the work was proceeding and money being spent irrespective of the amounts shown on the balance-sheet.

Between March 31st and September 31st, the amount spent on ordinary roads was £6174; on baekblock roads £18,693; on roads opening Crown lands for settlement £8198; on roads opening national endowment lands £1572; making a total of £84.637 in Taumarunui electorate lone. It would be seen therefore that the charge of having money voted and not expending it had very little to support it. At the same time the system of showing the votes and expenditure could be improved and this was desirable in order to remove the many misconceptions which arose under the present conditions. The backblocks members suffered most in consequence of these misunderstandings, and he would endeavour to have the matter remedied.