BACKBLOCKS ROADS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2141, 25 July 1907, Page 4

BACKBLOCKS ROADS

Major I). H. Lus’k, a veteran settler of fifty years' experience in the hack country of the far North brought the: pressing needs x>f settlers before the recent Couties Conference at Wellington. He moved: “That this conference strongly urges upon the Government tlie desirability of it constructing and metalling at the earliest. possible date one arterial or main road through the entire length of every county not already provided with one and that a joan be raised and earmarked for the above purpose.” He knew of portions of the country where no vehicle could travel on the roads during six months of tho year. Mr. Ritchie of Wanganui, who spoke out of the fulness of forty-five years’ residence in New Zealand sympathised with Waitomo’s delegate.” “We, sir, of the old days,” he said, were the doormats of the pavement farmers who rule the Government of to-day. We talk about the swaggers who go from farm to farm seeking to get their three meals a day by that means; hut we are like the swaggers, for we have to go to the Government to beg for money for our roads.” Another delegate thought tho proposal in the motion was a matter for politicians to take up, and tlie president of tlie conference thought it would be impolitic to pass such a motion, which was thrown out on the voices.