D.—l

The proposed expenditure from loan-moneys and revenue for votes comprised in the Public Works Fund coming under the control of other Ministers of the Crown is set out hereunder : —

The above figures (i.e., £9,814,000), plus those shown in the summary of votes under the control of the Minister of Public Works (i.e., £12,634,200), plus permanent appropriations under Highways (i.e., £332,800), amount to £22,781,000. In the Budget an additional £1,136,000 was shown under the heading of "Financial Programme" for the following works and services not included above : Land for Settlement, £260,000; State Forests, £650,000; State Coal-mines, £45,000 ; and Iron and Steel Industry, £181,000.

MAIN HIGHWAYS. On many occasions I have emphasized the necessity of an adequate and safe highway system in order to meet the needs of modern road My endeavours have been directed towards reconstruction and improvement works where the need was most urgent, and also the continuous maintenance of highways to a reasonable standard. The highway system includes the most important arterial routes which carry concentrated traffic from feeder and settlement roads. It is most essential, therefore, that, in the interests of safety, unsatisfactory conditions be improved as soon as possible. Wherever the standard is below traffic requirements it is found that maintenance becomes uneconomic, and for this reason also reconstruction becomes necessary. For example, a macadam road under a moderate flow of traffic can be maintained at reasonable cost but, if the quantity of traffic increases, more intense and costly maintenance is required, and the point is reached when, under very dense traffic, it is practically impossible, irrespective of cost, to upkeep the macadam surface in anything like a reasonable condition. Under such circumstances it becomes necessary to provide a paved surface which does not disintegrate, and which, compared with the macadam type, can be maintained at very moderate expense. One feature of a sealed highway is that the cross-section and superelevation are stabilized and a uniform condition is retained, notwithstanding seasonal or traffic variations. On the other hand, a macadam surface quickly deteriorates under heavy traffic, and in extremely wet or dry periods the position is accentuated. On account of the semi-permanent nature of paving it is essential that before a seal-coat is applied the subgrade and foundation be reconstructed to a proper standard and the road surface carefully prepared to obtain the correct shape. Another aspect of highway sealing is that it makes a definite contribution towards greater safety on the roads. Not only is the surface safer because of the elimination of the loose top-course with its corrugations and pot-holes, but general visibility and comfort are increased through the removal of the dust nuisance.

X

Vote. Loans. Consolidated Special Fund. Revenue. ___ £ £ 1 £ £ Railway Improvements and Additions to Open 3,300,000 .. 700,000 4,000,000 Lines (Minister of Railways) Education Buildings (Minister of Education) .. 900,000 .. .. 900,000 Telegraph Extension (Postmaster-General) .. 600,000 .. . . 600,000 Swamp-land Drainage (Minister of Lands) .. 14,000 .. .. 14,000 Settlement of Unemployed Workers (Minister of 695,000 .. 55,000 750,000 Lands) Native Land Settlement (Minister of Native Affairs) 675,000 400,000 275,000 1,350,000 Defence (Minister of Defence) .. .. .. 2,200,000 .. .. 2,200,000 Total .. .. .. .. .. 8,384,000 400,000 1,030,000 9,814,000