MAIN HIGHWAYS PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAYS PROGRESS

It does appear that there is now some prospect of genuine progress in highways reform. The Counties Association is proving neither obstructive nor unreasonable, and has adopted a report which the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department rightly regards as most favourable. Some proposals are made for legislative amendments; but these proposals all refer to questions of detail, and upon them reasonable men should have little difficulty in coming to an agreement. One of the most important of the proposals is for an alteration in the method of representation upon the District Councils. The Association desires to see the size and valuation of the counties taken into consideration. Removal of the restriction placed upon the size of the district execu ; tive committees is also desired! We see no objection to granting both of these requests/ provided that the • efficiency of the committees and' councils is not sacrificed in the pursuit of exactitude in representation. We do not think it at all necessary, however, that each local body should be represented upon the Executive Committee, or that the representation there should be by counties. We believe the members of the committees will prove sufficiently fair-minded to work for the benefit of the whole district rather than the benefit of one locality. And a small committee has many advantages over a large one when it comes to doing the work and not talking about it. We have referred previously to the proposal that borrowing should be undertaken by the Government on behalf of the counties. How far this may safely be done is an issue to be decided by the Finance Minister. The use of vehicle license fees is also a question which may be examined in detail. These proposals, however, do not touch the main principle of highways reform. That principle stands, and the counties are now willing to assist in putting it into practical operation. If all other interests are equally reasonable, the discussion stage should soon be passed, and the working stage be entered upon. According to remarks made at the annual meeting of the Automobile Union, there is now some danger of delay arising because of disagreements between the North and South Islands Motor Associations. We agree with the president of the Union that if the Associations cannot come to an agreement, a decision must be made by the Government. This is not, after all, a matter which concerns motorists only. The Motor Vehicles Bill is necessary to complete the. financial system of the main highways scheme. All preparations have not yet been made for operations which will call for the expenditure of large sums; but it is reasonable to hope that the Board will be ready before Parliament meets next year. If further delay is to be avoided it is/ essential, therefore, that the motor vehicles legislation should be passed this session. Moreover the, law covering the registration or motors and the control of motor traffic is. much in need of revision. Ihe authorities will not be able to weed out the reckless motorists until their powers are increased. Disputes which delay indefinitely the settlement of such questions as these cannot be regarded as a private quarrel. , The public at large are intimately concerned, and it is the duty of the Government, as representing the public, to intervene. The session is now so far advanced that action should be taken immediately.