ROADS PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 90, 16 April 1920, Page 8

ROADS PROBLEM

GOVERNMENT POLICY WANTED

The difficulties of County Councils in meeting arterial road maintenance expenses were^brought before the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) this morning by a deputation representing the Wanganui and R-angitikei County Councils, introduced by Mr. W. S. Glenn, M.P. Mr. A. Robinson, chairman of the Wanganui County Council, emphasised the necessity, in view of traffio developments, of having modern load improvements. Local body finance had not increased commensurate with greater demands of road traffic. The particular road they came to see the Minister about was the great north road between Wanganui and Bulls. The deputation suggested two alternatives, .either that they, <by themselves or in conjunction with the Eangitikei County Council, be allowed to establish a toll on the road, or that the Government should adopt a suggestion made by the Local Bodies' Conference,, and grant a subsidy of 10s in the £ on the general rates collected. A census taken by his local body had shown that on an average 140 cars a day passed over the road. Woij-'d the Minister give permission for a to 1 * to be established ?

■ Mr. P. B. Lethbridge, chairman of the H-angitikei County Council, and othe£ speakers supported Mr. Robinson. The great development of heavy lorry traffic, which was competing successfully with the railways- between Wanganui and Wangaehu, was referred to. Mr. Glenn said that the idea was that the .erection of a toll would to some extent force the hands of the Government in regard to declaring its future policy in the matter of main and arterial roads.

The Minister said he would go into the whole,matter of iollrgates, and give his decision. He would deal similarly with the matter of a proposed subsidy. He was aware they wanted to know the Government policy in regard to main and arterial roads, and probably his own views, but he was not prepared to make a statement yet, because it was a matter upon which the Cabinet would require to bo united. The Public Works Department was preparing a. report, or a scheme, for dealing with main and arterial road maintenance, and it would probably be the. basis of future action and legislation. The Government recognised that it had to face this question. He promised to communicate with the deputation at an early date.