The Stoppage of Public Works.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 161, 4 February 1902, Page 3

The Stoppage of Public Works.

•AtooKUANi), January ! bT.

A better has been received by the Chamber of Commerce from the Premier, in answer to the requisition of the Chamber Regarding the dismiss il of men ■from the railway work# having forced some traders into the Bankruptcy Court. The Premier pointed"- out that when a -contractor employed men -by ‘the day or the week, he‘6ifi nrtt s.tujly the interest# iff the traders or storekm-'pere in tne vicinity of the work, and in the ca*e of co-operative works, the Government were ■in exactly 4ha .same position as a private contractor, - who employed men when they wars require ! and 'dis nissed them when necessary. Ho considered it quite a new doctrine that the interests of traders were to be studied »« a factor in public works. He would/Respectfully suggest that the Chamber had overlooked the fadt that the losses In ques ioa were Included 'in the risk# hf trade. The Government had paid -the men, and concluded (that they would settle with the storekeepers, and if they had not done so it was surely too much to blame the Government for the non-payment of debts between iprivate parsons. Toe letter was received, the chairman remarking that it showed the necessity of being careful as to what klud pf letters they sent the Premier.

In reply to a question : aB to how long the present stoppage of public works will o jntinue, the Premier said—I*‘ 1 *‘ Under t o Public Revenues Act, after the 3lst ctf March we can spend for the uext three months on the same basis as last year, se there Is a prospect that Hvoi’k wiW be resumed after-the 31st of March, ahoul.l circumstances, warrant, such,a coutse. ’