The Press THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1967. Desirable Works, But Postponable

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31320, 16 March 1967, Page 16

The Press THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1967. Desirable Works, But Postponable

Ask any private motorist who has joined the queue to cross the Waimakariri bridge on a fine Sunday afternoon if he considers there is a “ need ” for a northern motorway to end this bottleneck. Ask any Christchurch-based carrying firm, any North Canterbury farmer—anyone, in fact, who uses the Main North road frequently—and the answer will surely be “ yes ”. It is not merely annoying to be delayed for up to an hour between Kaiapoi and Christchurch; it is demonstrably costly.

Tae most ardent advocate of motorways and efficiency could scarcely maintain, however, that early completion of this motorway should have top national priority. The state of the economy may require that the widening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge be postponed, the construction of the country’s first steelworks deferred, and work on the central motorway through Wellington suspended. These and many other works, begun or projected, are desirable. Most of them could be deferred or slowed down without serious inconvenience or harm —except possibly to parochial zeal.

No decision has yet been taken—or at least announced—on which capital works are to be deferred. It must be assumed, though, that the capital spending of all Government departments, of semi-autonomous bodies such as the National Roads Board, and of local bodies will come under close scrutiny in the next few weeks. The building activities of business firms have for several years had to pass the inspection of the building controller. The stabilising effect on the economy of the slow-down in the private sector has been largely offset until now by the burgeoning public sector, which must now fall into line.

The Central Canterbury Electric Power Board has wisely decided to forgo, in the meantime, the new office building it needs for more efficient administration. The more local bodies —and local interests —which take so enlightened an attitude towards the deferment of cherished projects, the less anguish will be caused; and the better will be the chances of minimising hardship and of sharing sacrifices equitably. Priority must be given to projects earning overseas income and to those showing the earliest return on funds—particularly overseas funds—invested. Farming and farm processing must be at or near the top of any such list; harbour bridges and motorways near the bottom.