PUBLIC WORKS FINANCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1916, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS FINANCES.

statement by the minister. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Hamilton, Sept. 5. A statement on the position of publto wprks finances was given by the Hon. H\ Frnser at Hamilton to-day. to a large deputation, of locrnl body delegates. The Minister said his object in touring the country districts was purposely to tell local bodies exactly how much had been authorised, and how much is still available for expenditure. He made it quite clear at the, outset that he was absolutely restrained from making fur- . tlier authorisations. The total of unexpended moneys was f098,2-t.'>, and Parliament had authorised him to spend 1 £390,(100. Of the latter sum he had reserved £32,000 specially as a flood damage fund, deducting from £358,000, the total amouiil of'authorities issued. The sum of £*24,528 had already been issued as flood damage grants. There remained £332,000 as the authorities issued for roads and bridges, and deducting the latter sum from the amount available, £358,000, there was a balance of roughly £-21i,000 yet to be authorised. As at the end of the year there would doubtless bo a substantial amount of unexpended grants, the £-20,000 carried no doubt would be exceeded, but he must hold over this unexpended balance for the purpose of equalising the position of several of the counties. Mr. Fraser pointed out that the money referred to did not include £50,000 from the consolidated fund for the upkeen of main roads, Public bodies must not run away with the idea that the authorities were all spent; altogether something like £20,000 was not spent out of authorities issued. Therefore there was plenty to come and go on during the next six or eight months. While prepared to make further authorisations, he was ready to consider the transfer of money already authorised lor certain works for expenditure on work* iof greater urgency or importance.