ROAD GRANTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19676, 20 July 1929, Page 14

R OAD GRANTS.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. AUTOMATIC ALLOCATIONS. trniss association niniaA*.) WELLINGTON, July 19. An explanation of the new system of automatic road grant allocation was given in the House of Representatives this afternoon by the Minister for Public Works ithe Hon. Mr Ransom). Mr Ransom said that it had been stated that it was the Government's intention to do away with the allocation of the road vote of New Zealand. This was not the case. What was intended was to vary the incidence of that system. Last year's amount available "was £424.C00, but this year it had been found necessary to reduce Ithe sum to £400,000, this" representing an honest attempt on the part of the Government to live within its means, and at the same time to provide for all requirements of the year. Variations in the system included removal of allocations on an area basis, which he considered was not a fair claim on the road vote. Another beading under which there had been change was the population basis. In the past road districts with larger populations had received a special allocation. He considered that these were the districts that were best able to look after their own roading system. "Paper roads" had also been removed from the allocations. These were roads originally planned, but never completed, and in many cases not even known to residents of the districts in which they existed. These were only factors removed from the allocations, and the money thereby saved had been added to the amount available for other items. He intended to double amounts for mileage of roads in use, apart from those metalled or surfaced, and for local body loans for roads. Crown and nativo land suitable for settlement would also be provided for. The new svstem would not in any way interfere with the fairness of the manner in which money was allocated, and there could be no suggestion that political favour could enter into the position.