PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 165, 30 September 1892, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The Hon. Seddou, delivered the Public Works Statement to Parliament on Tuesday evening. From his speech and Statement we cull the following as of special interest to our readers.— ‘-The decision arrived at by the present Parliament to stop borrowing necessarily brings with it a gradual tapering oft iu l he public works expenditure. When the self-reliant policy indicated in the Financial Statement of last year, and to which further effect has been given this year, was first announced, it was asserted that the colony would not be able to continue on the lines laid down ; in fact, if was quite understood by many honourable members that this year we should, of necessity, have to go upon the money murkoi. Results have proved, however, that fair progress has been made with our necessary reproductive public; works, and yet the expenditure thereon hes been less during- the past year than it lias been for years past, and still the colony has advanced. I may say, indeed, that Sw’ 1 orosnerity has been obtained, as well as ;> feeling ot s ;v.,sfaction and security, except, p s, on me part of those who were unpatriotic enough to wish that circumstances would compel the Government to have recourse to further borrowing. When, some five years ago, the pledge was given by the late Government that f arther borrowing should not be resorted to for throe years, the detractors of the colony abroad (and unfortunately some were found here), Loudly announced that immediately at the end of tiie three years tbe colony would be forced to borrow another loan. Results have proved the forecast to have been entirely erroneous.

■ O BORROWING REQUIRED. Five years have now elapsed, and further borrowing is not yet required, and from tho present outlook, we do not consider that further borrowing'should take place. The independent position taken up by the Government, supported in this as we are by a large majority in the House and in the country, has done a great deal iu restoring confidence in the finances and resources of the colony. Our securities, when this reliant policy was first announced, compared unfavourably with those of Ihe olher colonies, bat on comparison being made now, it will be found that New Zealand securities have attained to the highest position. From some of our prominent colonists, recently returned from tlie mother country, I gather that there is only one expression of opinion at Home in regard to New Zealand, its people, its resources and finances, either as a field for investment or for settlement. All speak in most glowing terms, and to be a New Zealander is a thing to be proud of ; and not only does this feeling obtain in the mother country, but it is the same in Australia. The evil of the borrowing policy of the past must be apparent to all thinking men, when we realise that the sum of £1,842,686 has to fee annually laid aside to meet interest and the instalments due on account of sinking fund. WORKING RAILWAYS. The total earnings during the year amounted to £1,115,432, and the nett profit, after deducting working- expenses, amounted to £408,914, being £5,056 less than the Railway Commissioner’ estimate for the year, and £12,054 less than the net revenue of the px-eceding year. The percentage return on the total capital invested in the railways amounted last year to £2 15s 9d per cent, against £2 ISs lid per cent for the previous .year, and £2 19s odfor the year 18S9-90. These very unfavourable results, notwithstanding the increased prosperity and in creasing population of the colony, appear to the Government to be so disquieting as to require some special remedy. It has, therefore, been determined to ask for an amendment of the law under which our working railways are at present administered, and it is hoped that, if the Bill for that purpose now before the House becomes law, very much better results may shortly he apparent. The agitation in favour of the zone system still continues, and experience is proving in other countries that there is a great deal, to he said in its favour The returns from the working of our railways do not show at all a satisfactory condition of affairs, and the representations of Mr Samuel Yaile, of Auckland, as to the working of the zone system, indicates that at no distant date, possibly or. the. expiry of the Commissioners’ term of office, it might he as well that a trial of this system should be made ou our railways. NEW ZEALAND CEMENT. Another question that has been brought under my notice during the year is the question of using colonial-made cement. I have had careful experiments made, with the result that the colonialmade article is found to bo in many instances equal, and in some cases superior, to that imported, I think the time has now arrived when the colony should definitely decide to use nothing but the colonial cement in the construction of its public works, leaving the competition as to the supply of imported colonial cement to private individuals. AN AUCKLAND INDUSTRY. Another question of a similar nature is the using- of galvanised iron in the construction of public buildings. Representations were made to the Government that a firm in Auckland was manufacturing an article quite equal to that imported. On obtaining a report from the Engineer-in-Chief on the subject, I ascertained that, from the examination and tests which he had made, the iron was of exceptionally good quality, and equal to any in the market, and, on his recommendation, an order has been given for several tons of the material to he used in buildings in course of construction by the Department in Auckland and Wellington. This is what has been done so far, and it is my iutention that, so long as the article is supplied at a reasonable price, to give the preference to the colonial made, and thus, while not paying any more for our supplies, we are assisting to provide employment for a large number of persons. RAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. After’last session the survey of the Wangarei —Kamo railway to Hikurangi wtss put in hand, and was completed before Christmas, and construction at once commenced. About miles of the line are now well in hand, and a further length will be taken in hand shortly. Only a small proportion of last year’s vote was actually expended within the financial year, and a vote of £20,000 is asked for this year to continue the work. The work is being done entirely on the co-operative principle. lIJiJ.EirSVir.LE NORTHWARDS. The formation of the Makarau section (with the exception of the tunnel), is nearly completed, and the tunnel is well in hand. Tho expenditure on this last amounted to £9,376, while liabilities existed at the end of the year to the amount of £13,673. A vote of £15,000 is asked for this year to coyer these liabilities and contingent works. KAIHJJ VALLEY RAILWAY. This line has continued to be worked under tbe direction of the Public Works Department with satisfactory results, the receipts having a little more than covered the working expenses. The Government have learned within the last week or two that there is a prospect of a company being formed to take over the line and work it ; also to provide for its extension further into the kauri forest. ROADS. It is proposed to vote £16,000 for main roads. The expenditure last year was £11,739 with liabilities of £4945 at the end of the year. For roads on goldfields a vote of £35,755 is proposed, and of this sum £15,200 will be available .or new works.