PUBLIC WORKS METHODS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 494, 24 August 1912, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS METHODS.

CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM TO CEASE. THE MINISTER'S OPINION. In respect to the method of carrying nut public works such as railway construction and roading, there has always been a strong divergence of opinion. The late Government favoured the co-operative system, while the present Govermnent has no place forit in the public works policy. The Minister of Public Works intends to adopt methods favouring the small contractors who cannot afford to buy plant. "The intention is," explained Mr Fraser to a pressman "to work gradually into a sytem by which good workmen can earn the full measure of the value of their labour. Why they should not be able to earn good wages I don't know, but under the present system they are exploited for the oenefit of the less efficient. There is no other class in the community where such a thing is expected. As for the inefficients it is quite possible that those whom Nature never intended to do navvying will be found some other employment better fitted for them. This point will be dealt with in the Public Works Statement. The great thing is to have the construction work done in the moat economical manner, because you expect the railways to pay interest and if you do not employ the best constructive methods devised of late years you will load them for all time with extra capital on which interest has to be paid."