Any Interference With Roads Board Opposed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31151, 30 August 1966, Page 6

Any Interference With Roads Board Opposed

The counties of Banks Peninsula would oppose any political interference with the activities of the National Roads Board, the chairman of the Akaroa County Council (Mr G. P. A. de Latour) said yesterday. He was replying to a question by Cr. A. S. Gray, who asked if it was true that Lyttelton Road Tunnel and Auckland Harbour Bridge tolls would be replaced by National Roads Board subsidies. Mr de Latour said the board would contribute “of its own free choice” to the tunnel and bridge when finances permitted. “I believe that in the 12 years of the board’s existence it has achieved wonders on the roads in New Zealand,” he said. “It is in fact reported that other countries in the world are very envious of New Zealand’s roading system and of the manner in which it is financed and operated by a non-political body. “The counties of Banks Peninsula have good reason to be very satisfied with the operations of the board.

“I will certainly raise my

voice in protest along with the Auckland Automobile Association, the president of the New Zealand Counties Association (Mr W. Baird) and the chairman of the National Roads Board (Mr A. E. Allen) at the possible thought of any political interference with this body.

“The one objective of the board in the past has been to upgrade and maintain the roading system of New Zealand which I believe it has done very well within the bounds of its financial position.

“I trust it is not going to be necessary for the board to have to have a second objective—protecting itself against some meddling political party,” he said.