Roads Bill Meets Opposition

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30884, 18 October 1965, Page 10

Roads Bill Meets Opposition

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 17.

The Opposition told Parliament it would not consent to legislation enabling the National Roads Board to return £lm to the Government until evidence was presented to show the money was not needed.

During the committee stages of the National Roads Amendment Bill, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt) said one clause would mean the £lm annual payment from the Consolidated Account to the National Roads Board Account would be halted. The Government had not

presented any evidence to show the board did not need the revenue, he said. The board had also breached the Statutes by not publishing its five-year survey of roading needs, due last year. Mr Watt said he wondered how the board could decide it did not need the £lm without having the survey. The Minister of Works (Mr Allen) said the current survey had taken 18 months to prepare. The first part had been completed last and the second part would be presented to a meeting of the board next week. The board had decided it did not need the £lm after reviewing its rapid increase in finances.

The survey had begun within five years, as required by the board’s act. But the act did not require publication within five years.

After a long argument on points of law the discussion was interrupted by the luncheon adjournment. The bill was committed.