The Waikato Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1939 PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1939 PUBLIC WORKS POLICY

Submission of the annual report of the Public Works Department to Parliament, with proposals for expenditure even exceeding the record totals of the past few years, raises the question whether the new situation created by the outbreak of war will not cause drastic amendments to the Public Works policy. The expenditure of many millions of pounds in providing roads, railways, buildings and other public facilities in peace time is a vastly different proposition from similar expediture when the nation is at war. However desirable the new ‘‘assets” might be, it will be necessary to decide whether the country can afford them at the present time and whether the money could not be put to more important uses. It is beyond doubt that a large portion of public works expenditure in recent years was undertaken to provide work for unemployed men. In the Budget the Government emphasises its unwillingness to increase the hardship of unemployment by a sudden tapering down of expenditure. Before the war has advanced very far it will probably be found that there will be places in the armed forces or in the war or productive industries for all available men. In that case it would obviously be futile to attempt to continue the full schedule of public works outlined in the Budget and in the Public Works Statement, even if it were possible to do so. In this connection the Government will no doubt be guided by developments as they occur and will reshape its policy as occasion demands.

In any case the question of finance may enter largely into the matter. It is not known precisely how or where it is proposed to borrow the millions of pounds required to prosecute the Public Works Departments plans, but the demands of finance for war purposes are bound to have a far-reaching effect on the whole position. There are, however, certain public works which come under the heading of defence, such as aerodromes, strategic roads, military camps and other works of a definitely military character which must be continued, and such undertakings may keep the department fully engaged, especially in view of the fact that the number of its employees is almost certain to be reduced by enlistments and diversions to more essential industries.

Other aspects of the Government’s policy will probably come under review, including such matters as the establishment of an iron and steel industry at a cost of £5,000,000. While it might be argued that the production of iron and steel would be of even greater value during a war period, it must be remembered that it would be a considerable time—probably two or three years—before the w’orks could produce iron and steel, and it is a question of deciding whether the £5,000,000 involved could not be diverted into more effective channels. That is the tragedy of war. National resources that might otherwise be used for the promotion of the welfare of mankind have, when war descends upon the world, to be used for the destruction of the enemy. The Government cannot be expected to take its hurdles before it comes to them. The war is yet little more than a week old. Before long its developments may more clearly indicate the course that New Zealand should pursue.