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Making provision for the purposes hereinbefore enumerated has had the effect of swelling the proposed expenditure of the year to considerably more than was appropriated last year. On reference, however, to Part I. it will be seen that the amount asked for under that Part of the Fund is only £564,980, being less by £43,880 than was appropriated last year. The difference is principally accounted for by a reduction of nearly £100,000 in the votes for Roads, and an increase of nearly £40,000 in the vote for Development of Goldfields, and about £10,000 in the vote for Public Buildings. The total increase in the appropriations under all heads will be £229,703, made up as follows : — Lands Improvement Account ... ... £150,000 Native Lands Purchase Account... ... 150,000 £300,000 Decrease under Part I. ... ... 43,880 „ 11. ... ... 26,417 70,297 Increase ... ... ... £229,703 PROVISION FOR ROAD-WORKS GENERALLY. An increased expenditure is proposed under the head of " Main Roads " amounting to £16,961. The principal portion of this is owing to the necessity for provision being made for the main roads north of Auckland, the maintenance of roads generally, and especially the roads from Nelson to Westland and Hokitika to Christchurch. The local authorities are absolutely unable to maintain these roads. In some of the districts mentioned there has been no other public-works expenditure; they have no railways; and, whilst there are vast areas of Crown and Native lands, there is very little rateable property. The keeping-open of these roads is of colonial as well as local importance, more particularly in regard to the tourist traffic. Another cause which has necessitated an increased expenditure this year is the exceptionally bad harvest, low prices, and the inability of the owners of property from various causes to make improvements : thus throwing out of employment a very large number of very deserving colonists. The distress during the winter—more particularly in the large centres—has been exceedingly great, and it devolved upon the Government to meet this unforeseen difficulty and to make provision to alleviate as far as possible the wants and requirements of those who, through no fault of their own, were thrown out of work. The Government has, however, rigidly adhered to the policy that it was the duty of the State to find employment only on reproductive works, and on improving lands the property of the Crown. Accordingly, the roads put in hand are only such as are required for the promotion of settlement and the development of the resources of the colony. The other works undertaken have been bushfelling and other improvements on Crown lands, and by this means also settlement has been promoted. The colony will lose nothing in connection with this class of expenditure, for the amount expended will be added to the capital value of the land. Those employed in doing the work will in many cases become settlers, and be located on the land they have been employed to improve, and they will subsequently pay the interest on the moneys which have been expended in making the improvements. By these means the men become accustomed to a country life, and a large percentage of them will never again trouble either the Government or the local authorities as "unemployed." That the General Assembly should have to perform the functions of a General Board of Works cannot be said to be satisfactory, but as matters stand it is a necessity. By the localgovernment legislation of 1876 it was no doubt intended, in regard to minor works, such as roads and bridges, that the local governing bodies should deal with these questions. All the machinery was then provided; but a serious defect, —and one which has not yet been rectified, —crept in, namely, the local authorities were not provided with an insured revenue upon which they could depend for the construction of necessary works, and for the maintenance of the same when constructed. The Government has already stated its intention of introducing next session amended proposals with regard to local government. Pending the necessary legislation being passed, and the necessary funds being thus provided, Parliament is asked to follow the usual course and make due provision for the several works enumerated in the Estimates.

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