EXPENDITURE JUSTIFIED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 870, 14 January 1930, Page 10

EXPENDITURE JUSTIFIED

NORTH AUCKLAND ROADS MINISTER’S CHANGED VIEWS Special to THE SUN OKAIHAU, Monday. After seeing the country for himself the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, has a different opinion of North Auckland to what ho had when he left AVellington. Mr. Ransom told a deputation at Kaeo today that, before he left Wellington to sec North Auckland, he was rather of the opinion that when he returned he would have to advise Cabinet that the large expenditure being made in the North on these expensive roads was not justified and would have to be stopped. But so far as he had seen the roads up to the present, he was convinced that although probably no immediate return would be obtained for the great expenditure the roads were justified and he was prepared to carry them into completion. To a depuation from the Wliangaroa County Council Mr. Ransom said lie would expedite the completion of the road into the Omanu No. 1 block, for which £558 had been authorised. The block was opened last year and all available sections taken up.

During the day the Minister visited Ohaewai, Kaitaia, Rangiahua and other places, receiving a number of deputations. Some requests were granted and others were promised favourable consideration. The Minister also inspected the railway work between Okaihau and Rangiahua and was shown the difficult nature of the undertaking. Mr* Ransom said he had made the visit to see the nature of the work, so that he could form a definite opinion as to the reasons why the portion of line cost more than had been estimated, and whether there had been justification for the stoppage of parts of the work during the winter, an action which had caused considerable criticism in some quarters at the time. He was quite satisfied on the latter point. As to the former, he remarked on the exceedingly difficult nature of the country.