PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4229, 28 September 1892, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

By the Minister ]or Publio Works, theHon.fi, J, Seddon.

Mr Speaker, the financial statement submitted by my lion, colleague, tho Colonial Treasurer, will to a great extent bave prepared lion, members for the inevitable so far as the reduction in the expenditure on public works is concerned, and it.lias so far lightened my otherwise somewhat unpleasant task. The decision arrived at by the present Parliament to stop borrowing necessarily brings with it a gradual tapering ofl' in the publio works expenditure. When the selfreliant policy indicated in the financial statement of last year, and to which further effecthas 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, it was quite understood ky many Hon, members that this year we should of necessity have to go upon the money market, Results have proved, however, that fair progress has been made with necessary reproductive publio works, and the expenditure thereon has been less during itie past year than it has been for years past and still the colony has advanced, I may say indeed that general prosperity now obtains, as well as a feeling of satisfaction and security, except perhaps, on the 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 tho pledge was given by the late Government, that further borrowing should not be resorted to for three years, the detractors of the colony abroad (and unfortunately some were found hero) loudly announced that immediately at the end of the three years the Colony would be forced to ; ask for another Loan, Results have : proved this forecast to have been entirely erroneous. Five years havo now elapsed and further borrowing is not yet required, and from the 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 in restoring confidence in the finances and resources of the Colony. Our securities when this self-reliant policy was first announced compared unfavourably with • those of the other colonies, but on a 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 the Mother Country, I gather that there is only ono 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 the most glowing terms, end 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 Australasia, Beferonce to the preas of Austrakia will fully confirm the favourable opinion and confidence thus expressed in regard to New Zealand and the polioy whioh has been adoptt-d hero; namely, to live within our means, to gradually improve the condition of the country from tho resources received, to promote settlement and to generally carry on our business without tho aid of the money-lender.. Suck a polioy places us in _ an independent position and not as in the times gone by when cap in hand, money was asked and grudgingly at,rates satisfactory to the lendets but ruinous to the taxpayers of'the Colony. The evil of the borrowing policy of the past must bo apparent to all thinking men when we realise that the sum offlß426B6'hastobe annually laid aside to meet interest and instalments due on account of Sinking Funds. Having thus briefly sketched the advantages of continuing tho self reliant course adopted it will be un« necessary to say that the statement this year will probably not be attractive or pleasing to those who are favorable to large loan expenditure, but to those who really have the best interests of the Colony at heart and wltoare prepared to make the necessary sacrifices entailed by the continuance of the polioy indicated I kope to give a measure of satisfaction, During the recess I have visited the different districts in which the works'are in course of progress, with the result that I find' that the construction of the works authorised last session has given general satisfaction, -But, as previously stated, the amount-ex-pended has beeii "small compared with the expenditure during previous years. Before dealing with the particular 1 works in detail it is well that I should mako a statement as to the condition of the public works fund, The lion, gentleman then gave a detailed state. .nußfafaoNvnti.'

THE CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM. The Statement deals at some length with this system, which it says has proved highly satisfactory in the working, and at the present time the whole of the works are going on satisfactorily to both the. Government and the men. who are doing the work. The work has cost no more than it would have cost if it had been done under the contract system, and, ut the same time, a better olass of work bus been done, A great advantage in constructing works under the co-operative system is that the Government has the expenditure thoroughly under control. Should any circumstances arise rendering it desirable to curtail expenditure, it is siuiply necessary to reduce the number of men, the agreements with the men providing that the Government is at liberty to oider the work to be discontinued at any time without payment of compensation, The state of the labour- matket can also be studied, and a very muoh better attempt made to cqualiso supply and demand than under the contract system, The contention thatj when a largo amount of labour is unemployed, pressure, which is well nigh irresistible, would be brought to bear on the Government to find employment, has been proved{to se altogether erroneous, as is evinced by the large reductions in the number of men employed on the Government cooperative works durin? the paßt few months, Experiments are also being made in the laying of the permanent way on the same principle, and the application of the system to large works requiring skilled labour also requires consideration, In conclusion the Minister says:—"Jt is my fixed intention to adhere to the principle laid down at the commencement that the work should not cost more than if it were done under the contract system."

WMKINQ BAILWAYS. The lengih of line completed and handed ovtr to the Railway Commissioners for'working during the year has been Similes 8 chains, making a total length of railway opened for tratfio at the close of the financial year of 1867 miles. The total earnings during the year amounted to £1,115,481, and the net profit, after deducting working expenses, amounted to L 408.014, being L&086 less than the Railway Commissioners' estimate for the year, and L 12,084 less than the net revenue of the preceding year. EK.ETAUUNA-WOODYILLE RAILWAY,

In accordance with the proposals made last year the construction of thiß railway has been commenced at both ends, the work being done on the co-operative principle, Tho works are still progressing Blowly, but will be pushed on more vigorously if tho vote which has now been placed on the Estimates for the work is passed. A total authorisation of £25,000 is asked for, of w.hioh £15,000 is proposed to be voted foraotual expenditure within the year,

WEIUNGTON-EKETAHUNA (IB ABO EXTENSION), The extension of the WellingtonNapier Railway to Te Aro has been put in hand during'the year and the formation works are now nearly completed. The laying of the permanent w»y, which forms part of the present contract, will be proceeded with immediately, and tenders for the necessary station buildings will be invited at an early date. Practically, no part of last year's vote was expend ded witbiu the late financial year, and a vote for the whole cost of the work, including provision for a goods station of muderaie sizo, is therefore included in this year'p Estimates.

OTIIEB MATTERS, For main roads it is proposed to vote £16,000 ; district roads, £15,295; roads to open up Crown lands for ale, £88,810; roads for village settlements, £5788; roads on goldfields, £35,755. For public buildings a total appropriation o( £108,687 ia asked for. Under the heading of purchase of Native lands we read that last year 179,018 acres were purchased, and since March 81 10,000 acres more have become Crown property,

The Government proposes to devote 1200,000 of tho estimated surplus revenue of the year to public works purposes. A sum of L 50.000 will also be available under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Aot, 1891, and Borne miscellaneous credits to the extent of L2OOO or so are expeoted to be received in addition.