Deputation On Reading

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 1

Deputation On Reading

(W.Z. tress Association) WELLINGTON, May 9. The National Rouds Board required an additional slom a year to maintain reasonable progress in. New Zealand’s reading development, the day by a deputation. The deputation was made up of representatives of the Automobile Association, the Industrial Transport Association, and the Road Federation. > ■ The organisations sought motor vehicle registration and licence fee revenue for the board. These had been diverted from the board to the Consolidated Fund a few years, ago. In its submissions the depu-

tation said: “We are seriously concerned about the marked deterioration in our reading in the last three years.” It said there was delayed upgrading and reconstruction; and piecemeal construction, particularly on arterial routes. •< Increased expenditure had been needed on road maintenance to extend the existing assets beyond their’ normal life. , Expendittire Drop “Most disturbing of all has been the failure to provide for additional reading?’ said the deputation. The deputation told the Prime Minister it was convinced that the public was prepared to meet a reasonable burden for the purpose of maintaining roading. “We can no longer claim a satisfactory rate of progress —we are lagging” Roaißy „ had

dropped from 2.65 per cent to 2.30 per cent of the Gross National Product between 1966 and 1968.