HIGHWAYS FUND.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20712, 24 November 1932, Page 5

HIGHWAYS FUND.

♦ ALLOCATION OF VOTES. A SOUTH ISLAND PROTEST. [From Olt. Parliamentary Reporter. ] WELLINGTON, November 23. A protest by Canterbury members that the allocation of tho Main Highways Construction Account was three to ono in favour of the North Island was answered in the House this evening by tho Acting-Minister Cor Public Works (tho Hon. C. E. MacmiUan). Mr Macrnillan pointed out that if the totals of tho revenue and construction accounts were added, the correct proportion of two to one between the North and South Islands was maintained. During discussion of the Estimates, Mr H. S. S. Kyle (C., Riccarton) complained that the votes this year seemed to be out of proportion. Motorists and County Councils in the South Tsland were making strong objection? to such a disproportionate allocation ind sought some explanation from the Minister. Mr I'. G. Sullivan (Lab., Avon) said hat County Councils in the South [sland had been asked to curtail their expenditure in order to reieve tho fund. Tho vote for the South van only £58,000 compaied with £IBO,)00 for* the North. This was a ratio >f three to one, Mr Sullivan pointed >ut. although on the basis of funds provided the North Island was only enitled to a two to one ratio. There had ieen some dissatisfaction about it in he South. The Hon. J,. A. Young: The popula;ion of Auckland is ono-third of tho ;otal population of the Dominion. Mr Macmillan explained that when he revenue and construction funds 'or each Island were added, the totals i-ero £619,018 for the North Island md £309,350 for tho South Island. ;'he proportion of two to one was thus maintained. Ho recalled that in oarlier [ays the South Island had not availed tsolf of the construction fund of tho rfain Highways Board largely, ho undertood, because local bodies did not feel ustificd in finding the money reuirod of them. The North Island had vailed itself of the fund.