BRIDGING PLAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 30 April 1947, Page 6

BRIDGING PLAN

NATIONAL TASK PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDY LONG-TERM FINANCING The urgent need of a bridge-replace-ment programme, based upon the recognition by the Government of the principle of substantial State subsidies, was emphasised vesterday at the No. 7 ward conference of (he Counties’ Association held in Gisborne. All four of the countries represented at the conference were stated to be facing a major problem in bridge obsolescence. and it was admitted that none could handle the problem out of its own funds. On behalf of the Cook County Council as sponsors of a remit on this subject, Mr. E. H. Baker pointed out that the first objective was to secure the Government’s recognition that bridge replacement was a national problem and to establish the principle of subsidy contributions to the cost of a longterm programme. The Cook Council felt that the actual rates of subsidy could best be fixed in relation to the particular circumstances of individual county authorities, which varied considerably in various parts of the Dominion. The fact that the modern bridge was constructed to carry all types of traffic and to last for generations was mentioned by Mr. Baker, as a factor which should liave consideration in financing the replacement programme. The remit leceived the full support of the conference, and was endorsed for submission to the national conference.