THE GOVERNMENT AND MAIN ROADS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 24 April 1914, Page 8

THE GOVERNMENT AND MAIN ROADS.

The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister for Public, Works, is at present on a visit to Taranaki district, and in the course of an interview with a, News reporter he contended that local bodies did not always do their duty by the main roads. They frequently starved them, and devoted more attention to the district roads. The local bodies of the north, he thought might take a leaf out of t"he book of the South Island local bodies. The latter looked after their roads. They would not permit heavy traffic in winter. This had to be done in summer months. Nor would they allow the use of narrow tyres. Heavy waggons and bullock drays were absolutely debarred from using the roads in winter. If North Island bodied wanted good roads they would have to look after them. At the present time they were supremely careless of what traffic they allowed; hence the constant appeals to the Government. When questioned as to the intentions of the Government concerning the Government taking over the main arterial roads, the Minister said that the Cabinet had not yet made up its mind on the subject, but personally he was in favor of this being done. Where the money was to be found was one of the difficulties to be faced.