FUNDS FOR ROADING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30054, 12 February 1963, Page 15

FUNDS FOR ROADING

South Island “Neglected”

A united South Island approach to the Minister of Works (Mr Goosman), as chairman of the National Roads Board, protesting against the allocation of board funds, is suggested by Mr T. D. Flint, secretary of the South Island Publicity Association, in a circular letter he had sent to all South Island local bodies.

A survey showed that the South Island had now received its share of allocations, Mr Flint says. His survey shows:

The Roads Board spent £22,060,783 in 1962. Only 27.44 per cent., or £6,054,054, was spent in the South Island. On a population basis the South Island should have received 30.02 per cent., or £6,623,222.

Calculated on the number of registered vehicles, the South Island should have received 32.34 per cent., or # 7,159,299; “but 4.9 per cent., or £1,105,245, was taken from the South and spent in the North.”

Mr Flint says that on a population basis, £2,393,772 more should have been spent in the South Island in the last five years. On the number of registered motor vehicles as a basis the South Island had lost £4,031,075 to the North in five years.

Mr Flint also claims that grants to local bodies have been distributed disproportionately. He suggests that telegrams be sent to the Minister protesting against the neglect of the South Island and that the South Island Local Bodies' Association should be asked to have a special meeting to consider a united protest.