King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 1913 THE WORKING SEASON.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 624, 3 December 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 1913 THE WORKING SEASON.

_ Circumstances have apparently combined this season to delay the commencement of work on the bnckhlook rosds, and it is evident very little in the shape of new work wilt be under taker before Christmas. The contracts which were held over from Inst season will not be affected, and fortunately a considerable amount of. important metalling work ie already in progress. It is to be regretted, however, that some less involved system cannot be introduced which will enable every available day to be utilised during the season, and thus assist materially to hasten the progress of the bfsckblocks of the Dominion, The Minister of Public Works is persistent in his complaint that a great portion of the money provided each year by Parliament for roads and bridges is unexpended and has to be re-voiea on the succeeding year? Estimates. An i analysis of the situation will serve to □hed a somewhat different light on the subject, to that which would naturally be conveyed by the Ministerial complaint. in any new district wherein the :-ettiers are anxious for progress roading schemes of considerable dimensions are promoted. !f if? recognised in these eases that the work cannot, be accomplished in era 1 seacn, but before portions are undertaken the settler? require the assur- | ance that the amounts asked for will be provided by Parliament The Government subsidy is an important fac- | tor in the schemes, and until the r.c j cessary assurance as to the granting I of the subsidy bar. been received step; in connection with the r:i: ? n: jr at loans are delayed. This nil contributes to a short working season, with the result that only a portion " f (lie amount provided by Parliament ie utilised during the season in which the grant is made. It will probably be instructive to the Minister to observe the difference in expenditure of subsidy money in the second season, when the settlers are assured of the amount which has been granted towards the carrying out of the whole work. In the case of the present season's Estimates the common sense policy has been adopted of granting moderate amounts on account of the tota 1 grant, and it is safe to assert a greater amount on account will be required next .season. The works will be in progress and the contractors will be ready to commence operations directly the weather permits, which means that during the second season on a contract which etxende the full length of the season about double the working time can be put in. These facts constitute an argument in favour of the early production of the Estimates, and of the promoting of comprehensive schemes on the part of the settlers, rather than the cmting down of the votes. It is gratifying to ogs that the subsidies this year taken all round are of a highly satisfactory nature, and if the various works ere put in hand at the earliest possible opportunity there is iittle fear of big balances standing to credit at the end of the season. The numerous applications for subsidies render it expedient to split up the allocations to moderate sums on account, and the fact that the projects'of th? settlers in the different parts of the district have received assistance and an assurance of continued support, indicates that the member for the district has? conducted an active campaign in the settlers' interest. In respect to the votes which are expended by the Department the public have no means of knowing whether the responsibility of non-axpenditure vests with the Deportment's officers or whether a system has upgrown which renders the prompt expenditure of the votes fa matter of difficulty. An enquiry into the methods of his Department should serve to acquaint the Minister with the weak spot, and if. as he contends, over voting is at the root of the matter, the obvoius remedy should be applied. In this district few will be found agreeing with J the suggestion that every vote allocated could not bs expended providing proper ateps were taken to

nfTord tbe necesßary facilities to that mil. A most important factor to such one!, and one which has been consistently advocated by the member for the disMricl, ir the production of the Estinmtrr nt. r.n ->nrlicr poriod of the session ihr.n Isnr been tho case in the p; r-1. ,A ;r-or<' important factor still would h<- Ibr ::-loption of a definite and i:oni]>ri?iH'i)iHvc ryntotn of roading, with n rococnirod rcnle of subsidies which would in form settlers and local hodir-r !iy :is to the character and .".mount of assistance obtainable fruin (he Government, without having to .'!\v;i!L the publication of the I'Minsr.top before undertaking their own on portion of the work.