HIGHWAYS BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1929, Page 6

HIGHWAYS BOARD

SIR J. WARD’S CONCESSION. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 27. At a meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day, the Prime Minister’s policy in relation to the Main Highway’s Fund, was discussed at some length. A letter from Mr Ansell, M.P., President of the Union referred to the statements of Sir Joseph Ward as reported in Hansard, and as appearing in the Budget, to show that, whatever Sir Joseph Ward’s present intentions were, his previous intentions were to debit the Highways Fund with the accrued interest on the annual grant of £200,000, and to cease paying a grant of £35,000 annually.

Reading of the following telegram from Mi’ H. O. Jones, President of the North Island Motor Union, closed the discussion: “As Chairman of the combined deputation which interviewed the Prime Minister last week in reference to the highways funds, I met Sir Joseph Ward, with the Minister for Transport, to-day, and I received his reply to our representations. I am pleased to say that he has decided to make a free grant of £200,000 from the Consolidated Fund and £35,000 from the Public Works Department.”

“This is very satisfactory,” said the Chairman, Mr H. C. Harley. “It shows what ceaseless activity and persistence can do. We have received all we asked for this time, and now we are all right.”