GOOD ROADS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 71, 23 March 1918, Page 4

GOOD ROADS.

. ] ICTORIAN SYSTEM ADVOCATED- i An important conference was held in 1 the Chamber of Commerce last night, for ] the purpose of dealing with the question i of good roads. Representatives were i present from the Automobile Association, ] Chamber of Commerce, Auckland Indus- ; trial Union, New Zealand Facmers' ~ Union, and the Taumaru-ui ■ Chamber of ] Commerce. ' Mr W. H. Hemingway, (president of , the Auckland Automobile Association, j occupied the chair. He said the object of , the meeting was to form a Good Roads ] Association. During the war it would ■ not be wise to put into practice the i whole scheme; it would probably be . better to spend money Km roads which \ would open up for soldier settlement . State lands at present lying idle. It ', would be well also to make the necessary preparations, so that when the war is ■ over and money is available a scheme on the Victorian. lines could be adopted. They were determined to make the powers that be provide good roads, and their aim should be to secure State aid for the construction. ' ,"■ Mr M. H. Wynyard moved the first resolution: "That in the interests ot New Zealand generally, and to open up its lands, increase its; production and develop its resources, a more comprehensive and consistent method of dealing with the roads of the Dominion than now exists is desirable, and to this end that the Government be urged to adopt by legislation a scheme (to become operative when the necessary funds are available) for dealing with the main roads, of the Dominion upon the lines of the Victorian' Country Roads Board Act, with such variations as local circumstances may make necessary or advisable." -Mr Wynyard said that under the Country Boads Act of Victoria, 1915, country road boards were set up for a | term not to exceed five years. Each I board consisted of three members. The chairman was paid fSOO per annum, and the other two members £600 each. The total Cost would be paid by the State Treasurer. The Governor-in-Council was authorised to issue deventures up to £4000,000 in any'rne year to raise mon.y for roading purposes. Mr M. M. ilcCalluru seconded the motion, which was adopted. The chairman stated that under the Victorian -system the Government paid 50 per cent of the cost of making the roads, and lent the local bodies the other 50 per cent for a period of 33 years at 6 per cent. . ■' . Major Lusk, representing the New Zealand Farmers' Union, moved: "That an. association be formed to be called ! 'The Good Roads. Association of . New j Zealand,' having for its object the obtaining of legislation to deal with the j main roads question on the lines of the J Victorian statute, and such other objects I in respect of road improvement as may j be decided upon, and that a committee [ consisting of the whole of those present,! with a quorum of five, be appointed, with i power" to add to their number, for the j purpose of drafting the, constitution of such an association .and appointing the first executive officers, such committee and executive officers to hold office until j the first general meeting.'' j Mr A. S. Laird, representing Taumarunm, seconded the motion, which was adopted unanimously. Mr C. A. Wilson (Auckland Industrial Association) moved: "That a public meeting be called to be held in the Chamber of Commerce, Auckland; on a date to be fixed, to which special invitation shall be issued to local bodies and mem- ; hers of Parliament in the Auckland district, for the purpose of promoting public interest ,n the Auckland district in the l_„/?w nd . obj ' ei:ts of the Association, | and that subsequent meetings be held in different centres of the Dominion for the same purpose." L Mr Montgomerie seconded the motion, which was adopted unanimously.