STATE SPENDING ON ROADS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29368, 22 November 1960, Page 19

STATE SPENDING ON ROADS

Mr Nash Explains To

S.I.M.U.

A lettbr from the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) to the executive committee of the South Island Motor Union explaining the Government’s contribution to expenditure on roading was not received enthusiastically by one member of the committee. “I move we take no notice of the letter,” said Mr H. C. McKenzie (Invercargill). The president (Mr G. W. Ferens) refused to accept the motion and accepted another that the letter be received. Mr Nash's letter said that of the £23 i million to £24m to be spent on roading, only 40 per cent, came from “motorists’ taxation.” A letter to the Prime Minister from the motor union had commented on an earlier statement by Mr Nash that the Government would spend £24 on roading, or £l2 a head of population.

“If you were correctly reported, a wrong impression could be given, as the statement implies that roading is financed from general revenue,” said the letter. “This is incorrect, as according to our calculations, the Government provided less than 10s a head of population last year for Roads Board funds. The balance of £ll 10s was provided from motorists’ taxation.”