ARTERIAL ROADS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 12

ARTERIAL ROADS.

STATE CONTROL PLAN.

PRINCIPAL ROUTES ONLY.

MINISTER EXPLAINS

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day

An explanation of the Government s proposals for taking over 4140 miles of aiterial roads throughout the Dominion, and for being responsible through the Main Highways Board for their construction and maintenance, was given yesterday by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. I\. Semple.

"In some quarters," said Mr. Semple, "It has been accepted that the intention is to place all main highways under the direct control of the Main Highways Board, thereby relieving local authorities of any obligation to finance any part of the cost of the highways system. This is not correct, as the proposals cover only the principal arterial or trunk roads which are already known as main highways. Past experience has shown that important reconstruction or improvements of arterial highways have had to be deferred, in some cases for many years, principally because of the reluctance of a particular local authority to finance its quota. The value of arterial highways from a transport viewpoint and to the public welfare can only be measured by the ability of these routes to cater at all times for all needs. The backbone of the Dominion's road transport is undoubtedly its trunk system, and the country's interests would be better served by the State accepting responsibility for the necessary improvement and proper upkeep of its arterial roads than by the multiplicity of control which now exists. Intentions of Legislation. "The intention of proposed legislation is firstly to ensure that the principal lines of road communication will be administered directly by a central authority having Dominion-wide jurisdiction, and for this purpose the Main Highways Board will be entrusted with the control of State highways. Secondly, the proposed legislation will give financial relief to local authorities by the extent to which they would ordinarily contribute to the arterial highways. "These savings to local bodies will be in the nature of increased financial aid to the roading authorities affected and will enable them to apply their funds to ordinary county highways and rural roads, with consequent advantage to the outlying districts.

"It is not' proposed to transfer to the State the responsibility for antecedent liabilities and the idea is that from the date on which an arterial highway is classified as a State highway the full cost of construction and maintenance will be met from highways funds. Where a work has already been completed no allowance will be made to the local authority concerned for its share of expenditure, but where a work is still in hand at the time of the classification an apportionment will be made under which the local body will pay its contribution only up to tTie date on which the State highway is taken over. "The Legislature has not so far given authority for retrospective assistance from highways funds," the Minister continued, "and it is not proposed to do so now. It might be explained that where a local authority is making deferred payments in respect of work completed prior to a State highway being taken over such payments will continue until the debt is liquidated. Any local authority dissatisfied with a decision of the Main Highways Board will have the right of appeal to the Minister.