PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 415, 23 April 1937, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

CRITICAL STATEMENTS Mr. R. Semple in Reply. Press Association —Copyright. Wellington April 22. Replying to statements concerning the Government's Public Works poicy made by Mr. Hargest, M.P., at Waiuku recently, the Minister of Public Works Hon. R. Semple, said to-night that the present Government’s policy, far from mortgaging the future, aimed 1 at providing developments, essential to the country’s progress He pointed out thiat Public Works men were earning better 'Wages than ever before. and, notwithstanding good wages, the cost of construction had decreased.

Referring to Mr. Hargest’s remarks about the South Island main trunk railway, Mr. Semple said the present Government did not start the railway and 1 , as wi.h other seven partly completed ahd abandoned lines., had to decide Vhethed to complete it and get the benefit of whatever develop mental value it possessed or allow expenditure previously incurred 'o continue as a dead loss with no hope of return. In the Labour Govern-I ment’s view the only thing to do was ■ o complete the lines to geo what return was available. American Ma-s'il’iery. “Mr. Hargest also referred,” siaio Mr. Semple, “to the quantity of new machinery of American pattern to be found on Public Wonts in the Nor.h Island and asks what sum has been spent, 'Whether it was all necessary and whethir tenders have been called or an order simply han li d to a favour. C'd concern. I take the s.rongest possible exception 'to the*veiled tnsuiua'.ion regarding tenders. ..'.'Does. M l ’- Hardest' indan to suggest that the purchasing of ti ls plant and machinery has not been done in Te proper orthodox manner’” continued Mr. Semple. “In making su ’h iln un. derhand insinuation he Is striking not only at the integrity of myself as a Minister, but at the integrity of my departmental officers as well. Of course tenders were called and the market tested from time to time. As lar as American plant and machinery is concerned, what the department has bought was purchased through representatives of no less than 23 American mamTuctarers. “As io whether new ms. liinery was

necessary I say that ii was find mainly on account r.f the pel;/ of the pest Sovernment (of which Mr. Hargsst was a member) in selling to the- highest bidder practically all the gear the department thtn possessed.” Mr. Semple said his strict policy had been to buy plan; first of New Zealand manufacture, secondly from the United Kingdom and thirdly to consider th e best th.?- world had to offer. It was found, however, he added, that certain of th.e heavier types of constructional machinery was not available from New Zealand or British manufacturers and it had to be obtained from America. Expenditure on Plant. "Expenditure on purely construction plant-and machinery since January 1, 1936, approximates £500,000,” said the Minister, “And if installed machinery is added the expenditure to lais £712,000) This amount jfe spread over the different countries as follows: New Zealand, £85,698; Britain, £354,871; America, £231,152; Sweden, £34,600; Germany, £5248; Switzerland, £688; Austria, £478. This 'Expenditure certainly is large, but it must be remembered that when this Government took control the Public Works Department was practically depleted of effective plant. It is now properly and efficiently equipped with the result that on much of the work a saving of about 33 1/3 per cent, on the former cost is being made and the work i. s being done in about half the time. It is estimated that these machines will have paid for themselves in four years’ time.”