FUNDS FOR FULL ROADING PLANS IN SOUTH IS. ASKED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23366, 23 September 1950, Page 5

FUNDS FOR FULL ROADING PLANS IN SOUTH IS. ASKED

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 23. ■ The Government will be asked by i ‘ tne South Island Motor Union “to make .1 available the full amount of money necessary to carry out the programme 1 of the Main Highways Board." This f decision followed a statement made j earlier in the meeting yesterday by I Mr. M. H. Wynyard, motorists’ repre- . sentative on the Highways Board, that , finance for the present year should be ample for maintenance, but the construction grant was lower than last . year He added that representations [ I were being made to the Government j for increased provision in the Supple- . mentary Estimates. More direct action was sought by some delegates. Mr. G. W. Ferens ; (Otago) moved: ‘That as the Govern- ■ Intent has reduced the vote to the High- | ways Board by £384.030 for this year i and as petrol sales for last year have .. increased by approximately 9,000,000 ,I gallons, with resultant increases in ; revenue therefrom of approximately ’,£700,000, this union strongly deplores '.such action and requests the Govern;|ment to make such vote at least equal ri to the amount voted last year." |_ Mr. C. M. Rout (Nelson) wondered ;; if it was fair to take such action when • the national finances were under re- :. view. ; This altitude was practical, said Mr. ; jW. M. Richardson (North Otago). If R additional roading expenditure were (j advocated the union would have to • suggest what other expenditure should Ibe curtailed in compensation. This form of protest was premature when | the Government would probably take another year to achieve its desired . changes, he said. | Dr. S A. Gibbs (Nelson! then mov,ed the amendment eventually carried. I This was seconded by Mr. Richardson. The original motion should go ; through, said Mr. A. R. Douglas MOtago). The union hart spoken in 1 straight terms about the highways to , the previous Government and unless the same uncompromising attitude was taken the delegates would be left open to the charge of political bias. | The amendment was carried by 13 ! votes to nine. The union elected the following | officers: President, Mr. R. Wilson j (South Canterbury): vice-presidents. I Messrs. G. W. Ferens (Otago). G. Hamilton (Canterbury). I. V. Wilson .(Southland): executive, Messrs. G. T. I Anderson (Otago), L. W. Broadhead 1 (Canterbury), R. V. Eythell (Marlborough). F. V/. Freeman (Canter--1 bury), L. A. France, R. Twyneham I (Canterbury) and W. Gillies (North Otago); auditor, Mr. W. R. McCallum.