NATIONAL ROADS BOARD

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27463, 24 September 1954, Page 12

NATIONAL ROADS BOARD

INCREASE SOUGHT IN REPRESENTATION MOVE BY NORTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION - (New Zealand Press Association) TAUPO, September 23. The North Island Motor Union is to ask for two more road users’ representatives on the National Roads Board. Delegates urged this at the annual conference held today at Wairakei. At present road users have two representatives—one commercial, one private—on the board of 10.

“We should have two members, and commercial users should have two.”

said Mr T. M. N. Rodgers (Palmerston North). “The board will spend about £15.000.000 of motorists’ money this year. The people who find the money should be adequately represented.” Mr P. W. Breen, the motorists’ representative on the board: I agree we need more representation. But it will mean pressing for legislation that the Minister is not agreeable to. He wants us to give the board a year’s trial. Other delegates expressed doubts whether all the money allocated to the counties would be used on the roads. Under the new system the counties’ road rate is supplemehted by a fixed grant from the board. Delegates suggested that some counties might use the grant for roads, but reduce the rates to the benefit of their ratepayers. Mr W. H. Brown, president of the union: There is a need for vigilance. Already a South Island paper has in- s dicated that some counties are not spending all the money properly. We nave a duty to see it is spent on roads. It is our money they are spending. Mr Breen: The board will keep a check on it. Voices: How?