MAIN ROADS QUESTION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 8002, 6 June 1922, Page 3

MAIN ROADS QUESTION

CONFERENCE TO-MORROW

The conference called b} r the Mincer for Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates, to consider the question of arterial roads is to meet in Wellington on June 7. Representatives of the Counties’ Association, the Automobile Union, and the Good Hoads Association have been invited to attend this conference, and the Minister has indicated that he wishes the delegates to discuss the principles that are to govern the construction and maintenance of main roads throughout the Dominion. Representatives of the Counties, the motorists, and other local bodies have arranged to hold a preliminary conference for the consideration of details. They may be able to arrive at some decisions that will simplify the work of the main conference.

The chief points to be considered are control and finance. The Minister will have suggestions to make, but ho has said that the delegates vill be free to put forward and discuss any proposals they please. One of the features of the main toads scheme put forward by the Minister last year was the specification of certain arterial roads that were to receive first attenion. Many of the comities objected to the arrangement) on fchei ground that it would involve the postponement of the works fix which they yvere particularly interested. The conference will have to face the fact that it will be impossible for the Government or any other controlling authority to undertake the construe icu and improvement, of all the required arterial roads at the same time, but the difficulty may be overcome by incorporating in the scheme some special financial provisions for the use of district authorities. The Minister lias gathered much information concerning what other counties have done. The issue of "road ! ends" has proved very successful in mine parts m* America.