HIGHWAYS FINANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 262, 5 November 1931, Page 3

HIGHWAYS FINANCE.

INVESTIGATORS' ADVICE.

"ROADS AND BRIDGES FUND."

AUTOMATIC ALLOCATION,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Important recommendations are contained m the report of the Select Committee set up to inquire into highways finance in general and into the allocation of proceeds of the petrol tax in particular. The report was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day.

The committee, which was appointed on July 28, comprises Messrs. C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua), chairman, A. E. Ansell (Chalmers), H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East), W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), H. M. Campbell (Hawke's Bay), E. F. Healy (Wairau), C. E. Macmillan (Tauranga), W. L. Martin (Raglan), the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, and Messrs. H. M Rushwortli (Bay of Islands) and W. B. (Dunedin South).

The. committee recommended that the separate fund now called the Highways Fund should be maintained, but that it should in future be designated the Roads and Bridges Fund and that all proceeds from motor and petrol taxation should be paid into this fund, and also that the whole funds should be earmarked for roading purposes. This would call for the amendment of the existing legislation. In addition, this fund should be called upon to contribute substantially to the construction and maintenance of roads other than highways.

The committee recommended that the system of automatic allocation should be instituted. "Sums in the fund mentioned," stated the report, "should be automatically allocated to road districts, on principles similar to those adopted in the allocation of Public Works expenditure of a developmental nature, but utilising factors more suitable to the particular requirements of ordinary main roads and by-ways." The committee was in favour of relief being given in the direction of derating farm lands for roading purposes. With reference to boroughs of under 6000 inhabitants (in particular those who had completed most of their paving without assistance from the Main Highways Board) it was suggested that legislation be introduced to allow these boroughs the option of applying to be grouped with cities and boroughs of over 6000 inhabitants for the purpose of receiving contribution from the 8 per cent petrol tax allocation for direct distribution among cities and boroughs of over 6000 inhabitants, the Main Highways _ Board to have full jurisdiction in considering and granting applications. With the exception of Newmarket, all boroughs of under 6000 inhabitants have thgir arterial routes declared main highways and they receive a subsidy from the board ttfward the cost of construction and maintenance. Where the application of any borough under the proposal is approved by the board, the board should have the power to revoke the declaration of main highways under which such boroughs receive contribution for construction and maintenance ing given careful consideration to this important subject, the committee earnestly recommended tho Government to give effect to the decisions reached.