MACHINES ON ROADS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1938, Page 7

MACHINES ON ROADS

MINISTER DENIES NEGLECT SOME PLANT PURCHASED FROM BRITAIN. MAY DISPLACE AMERICAN IMPLEMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An allegation by Mr J. Hargest (Opposition, Awarua), that valuable road machinery was being allowed to deteriorate through want of greater use was denied by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon R. Semple, during consideration of the Estimates in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister also denied a suggestion that more machinery was being imported from America than was necessary. Mr Hargest said that in travelling up and down the country he had noticed costly machinery lying along the roadside. Some of it was deteriorating rapidly, and the thought had occurred to him that it would be better to work double shifts than to allow the equipment to fall into disuse. It would be interesting to know what proportion of the machinery came from America, and also what proportion was made locally. There could be little encouragement to New Zealand manufacturers so long as American machinery was allowed in free of duty. Mr Semple said he was glad the subject had been raised as it gave him an opportunity to state the true position. There was not one machine that was not in use. Mr Hargest had suggested that machinery was being allowed to rust. Mr Hargest: “I didn’t say rust.” The Minister: “I wish the hon member could show me where machinery is lying idle.” The Minister of Lands, the Hon F. Langstone: “He means on Saturdays and Sundays.” “I have said before, and I repeat, that I am exceedingly sorry we have been compelled to buy certain types of machinery from America,” said Mr Semple. “We have lost no opportunity to search for suitable machinery from Great Britain, and I am pleased to say that we are now using two carry-all scrapers from Britain. We are the first Government in the British Commonwealth of Nations to use them.” Mr Hargest: “Are they giving satisfaction?” \ Mr Semple: “I can’t give a definite assurance, but I believe they will be satisfactory. One of these machines is being used in the Ngahauranga Gorge. If it proves to be anywhere near the standard of the American machine no more American machines of that type will be imported.” New Zealand-made graders fitted with engines from England were being used on several jobs, added the Minister. They were as good as any from America. The factory was meeting the orders as fast at is could. It had been suggested that double shifts should be worked to get the best results from the machinery in use on various jobs. In' many cases that was being done. For instance, on an irrigation undertaking in the south it was proposed to work three shifts during the summer, which would probably mean that the machinery would be in use the whole 24 hours. Two shifts were being worked in the Ngahauranga Gorge at the moment. The department was out to get the best possible return, and where it paid to use machinery, machinery was being used.