EARTHQUAKE SEQUEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE SEQUEL.

REPAIR OF ROADS.

FBOTESTS NOT JUSTIFIED.

"CRITICS OUT OF STEP."

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON", Friday.

Criticism regarding expenditure by the Highways Board on roads affected by last year's big earthquake was replied to by the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, in the House to-day. Mr. Forbes said he had noticed that one or two resolutions had been passed on the subject, and he considered those responsible showed a very narrow and selfish spirit. Dealing with the actual position regarding expenditure from the luVhways fund on repairs necessitated by the earthquake, he said the amount from the Government expenditurerevenue account was £45,335; the amount from the Public Works fund, £?4578- and tho amount authorised was'£l3,737-4 total of £5G,950. Public subscriptions amounted to about £150,000, and the amount the highways fund was called upon to bear was £106,917. "Was not that a. fair contribution in a time of national disaster when the roads in the affected area had .been destroyed to a certain extent?" he asked. "Was 'it not a fair thing for the Highways Board to do its share?" As was well known, the Government had to carry the burden of expenditure for everything that arose in the way of national disaster. The burden it would have to carry in regard to the earthquake district was not finished by any means, for assistance would still have to be given where necessary. When local bodies and motorists' associations—he would not say motorists, as the associations were not always representative of the motorists —passed such resolutions as he had mentioned, he thought they were totally out of step with the rest of the country. Mr. A. E. Ansell (Chalmers): Are you not going to keep the promise that was made in regard to it? ■ >} "I made no promise in regard to it, retorted Mr. Forbes. Mr. Ansell: It was made on behalf of your Government. Mr. Forbes: I have made no promise. If you can show me any promise I have made in regard to it I shall be pleased to carry it out.