King Country Chronicle Wednesday, August 26th, 1914. THE WORKING SEASON

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 698, 26 August 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, August 26th, 1914. THE WORKING SEASON

The announcement that all loans to local bodies by the Government are suspended for the time is but a confirmation of what was universally anticipated. In districts such as ours, where much development work is being undertaken, the indefinite postponement of work upon which the settlers had agreed must be a serious handicap. However,, the isaue has to be squarely faced, and arrangements made to carry no under existing conditions until the cloud of war is lifted from the Bmpire, and conditions assume their normal aspect. There is one of the inevitable sacrifice which the settlers are called upon to sustain in the interests of the Empire, and while regretting the fact that pro gress is delayed for the time there will ba no murmuring over tba action whi?h haa contributed to such a result. In any case the amount of money available in the Country ia very cunsiderable, and work in the vairious districts should be fairly extensive. There is every indication that the resources of the Government will be taxed to the utmost in providing employment by -way of public works for thoae who will be thrown upon the labour market in the next few montts. It is to be helped, therefore, the local bodies wbiah mj|y bare considerable funds available for the season's programme will make every effort to provide work for as many men as possible during the coming working season. As far as the County Councils are concerned, the bulk of the expenditure is by way of loan money, which has to be expended in specified work. There is consequently nothing to be gained by delaying such expenditure, while by using every endeavour to accelerate the work the settlers will be more quicklv provided with roads, and the district will benefit both by the circulaton of wages mon«=.v and by the provision of additional facilities. It has already been stated that the Government is prepared to meet all commitments, and the amount of loan money available in the Waitomo Coun ty for the ensuing season is approximately £20,000. This amount is subsidised to the extent of £ for £ in most cuses, and if the subsidies are made available there will be an amount of £40,000 provided for expenditure in the County. This ia consequently considerably in excess of

the amount expended last Benson, bo that thsro is ever; reason to regard the outlook hopefully.