FOUR YEARS’ WORK

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1947, Page 6

FOUR YEARS’ WORK

RESTORATION OF DOMINION’S HIGHWAYS DELAY LEAVES ITS MARK (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “It will be at least three or four years before the condition of all our roads and highways returns to the pre-war high standard,” said the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) in a statement to-day.” Six years of delayed maintenance have left their mark. Water seepage has saturated the sub-grades and affected bases and foundations. For the present the priority job is to make up this leeway and most of our much reduced supply of available labour is being used for this purpose.” Mr. Semple said many exaggerated statements were being made and “the worst piece of road in New Zealand” could be found in every area, according to the opinion of local residents. As a matter of fact, he was informed by officers of the Main Highways Board, that many of the pumice and gravel roads were in excellent condition and compared favourably with pre-war standards. The Minister pointed out that just under one-third of the pre-war labour force was available to-day, but the tasks facing the department were considerably heavier than before the war. With the present shortage of labour and materials the Government was making every endeavour to make up the leeway caused by the war, and it was hoped that a marked improvement in the existing roads would be noticeable by the end of the year. “New Zealand’s roads are among the best and safest in the world, and I am determined to keep them so,” concluded the Minister.