THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 12, 8 October 1921, Page 3

THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

MINISTERS INTERVIEWED CONDITION OF MAIN ROADS A deputation from the conference of the Municipal Association waited upon the, Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. D. Stewart) yesterday morning, in order to bring before the notice of the Government the principal remits passed by the conference. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P. (Mayor of Wellington) was the only speaker. He stated rhe more important changes that the conference wished to see effected. He described one or two of the remits as not likely to meet with the approval of the Government, and Mr. Massey interjected that the remits would not meet with approval if they asked for money. Mr. Wright replied that he did not think any of the repute asked for money. The conference had been very careful in that direction.

Mr. Massey made a brief reply. He Baid he wag pleased to learn from Mr. Wright that the conference had been very successful. Judging by the number of the remits and their importance, he Would conclude that the conference had done very well indeed. He knew that Buch conferences did a great deal of good, and that they greatly assistcd_Par!iament. He would not like to promise that the remits would bo dealt with by Parliament during the present session, but most of them would be put into- shape even if Parliament did not go on with them this session. If they were urgent, Parliament would be given an opportunity of dealing with them. He did not know that there was anything particularly urgent on the list that had been placed before him. There was the proposal to alter the system of voting by requiring that the papers should bo marked by the striking out of candidates rejected by the voter, instead of by the placing of a cross opposite the ■elected candidates. He knew that mistakes were made under the present system. He fancied it was optional whether the voter struck out names or used a cross. He himself preferred the striking out. The proposal with regard to exemption from rating was very important, and would no doubt lead to a groat deal of discussion in the House when an opportunity offered of bringing it on. He could not express an opinion until he had looked into the matter. There was one remit with which Mr. Wright had supposed he would not have much sympathy, but with which, on the contrary, he had a great deal of sympathy. . lie gathered that the proposal was to make the Government obey the by-laws in respect of buildings it occupied. He thought that the Government should comply with the by-laws, except tri cases—he could not think of any at the moment—in which there was strong reason to the contrary, and for Which special exemptions could be provided. The Prime Minister said that the proposals of the conference in reference to arterial highways would certainly come ■up during the session, as the Bill dealing with the highways was already drafted. When the Bill was before Parliament every consideration would be given to the suggestions of the Municipal Association. He could not promise flint all the wishes of the conference would be. granted, but there must be legislation this session dealing with arterial roads, and the licensing of motor vehicles to provide finance so that the main roads might be kept in a better condition than they had ever reached. In some parts of the country these roads were almost ■s bad as bad could.be. Jha district.in he had his homey-Aucklgnd—had some that were simply impassable in the winter-lime. He was not afraid of motors coming into conflict with t’he railways. The railways would hold their own, and the people should be given anything that the Government could provide in the way of better roads.