WAR TIME—AND LOCAL NEEDS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 10, 11 July 1918, Page 8

WAR TIME—AND LOCAL NEEDS

PROBLEM OF FINANCE.

" We don't make motor roads," interjected the Minister of Public Works (Sir William Fraser) to-day, when Mr. E. J. Barry, Mayor of Ohakune, was complaining that a certain important road was impassable for nine months of the year. It might be passable for drays during six months, but not for motor-cars. When the Minister made his remark about motor roads, the deputationist replied that New Zealand had to keep abreast of the times. If New Zealand people were to have the efficiency necessary to meet the cost of the war good roads would be essential. Solid rpading would be a very profitable investment for the State.

" There is not a shilling available except for carrying on the war—not a shilling," declared the Minister subsequently. He said he quite agreed with the argument that certain expenditure would help New Zealand to carry the burdens of war, but there was no moneyavailable at present. There was no use blinking the matter; the money was not here. He believed that before the end of next March the nest £20,000,000 war loan would have to be raised. With another £20,000,000 lifted from the country, how much would be left for public works? He did not see how it was possible—till after the, war—to use money for the making of' roads suitable for motor traffic. At present the Government would not make new roads—at least not to any extent. Also tho Government could not metal new roads unless the local authority paid half tho. cost.