PUBLIC WORKS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3503, 4 June 1920, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS.

VIGOROUS FORKVARD POLICY. i The Minister of Public Works, the‘ HOll. J. Coatcs, delivered :1 spec-chi on the subject of the Governments's public works policy at a. banquet ten-1 dcred to him by the local bodies of; the‘K-uipzira. district, which t'oreshadowed 3. new era of activity and system in the pushing forward of those two great settlement factors——r-oads and railways. The Government, said Mr Coates. was out flor :1 definite policy of “rustle and bustle” in the matter of works to assist in opening up the country for increased production, upon which our continued. prosperity depended, although :1 certain amount of time would be necessary to reorgaiiise; work out the best plans for economy and etficiency, and collect the material that was essential for construction work.

Roads, railways, and hydro-electric, aower were the great settlement fac-l Lors which the Government were de-' ;ermined to develop with vigour. 80% far as roads were concerned a schemel was being evol-ved ‘under which the respective responsibility of the Publici Works Department and‘ the local! bodies ‘would be fixed where roads , classified as main roads, arterial roads,‘ and district or country roads were concern‘ed. A scheme would be placed be- ‘ fore Cabinet which wouldembrace the mainroads and suggest the Government.’s share of responsibility respect.-i ing them. This would also apply toi the branch roads a.nd the district roads! (roads constructed and maintained by! the local authorities). The scheme,‘ was in course of preparatiori, and when all the data was collected, it would be for the Government to decide on the course to be adopted. This proposal, explained the Minister‘, would only be a basis upon which he had no doubt a solution would be found for this big problem of road construction and maintenance. Discussing railways, Mr‘ Coates pointed out that one of the present great difiiculties was the shortage ofi material. However, a policy was be-! ing formulated and the material ac-I cumulated for a great forward move-, ment. The “little bit here and the‘ little bit there” policy was absolute-I ly discredited. The lines were being: classified in the order of their im.-; portance, and would be pushed to completion accordingly, and in their classification the main factor would be the development of the country. He hoped the Minister of Finance would stand behind the progressive policy, which would enable the Dominion to carry its war responsibilities. Departmental oflicers had been sent abroad for the latest machinery and ‘experience in up-to-date methods. He iwas confident. that when the necessary {material had been gathered and a for,ward movement made the Governlment’s policy would be amply justiI fled. i Vl‘ Coates said he was absolutely iopposed to the day labour system on |the public works. He favoured eon-

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