MAIN HIGHWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1932, Page 5

MAIN HIGHWAYS

PREMIER’S DEFENCE OF EXPENDITURE COMMISSION (Per Association — Copyright .) WELLINGTON, October 27. An assurance that it was not the Government’s intention to abolish fine separate, account of the main highway fund, was given by Mr Forbes, replying to-day, to a deputation representing the Counties’ Association, the Farmers’ Union. North and South Island Motor Unions, and Canterbury Progress League, which protested against the National Expenditure Adjustment Committee’s recommendation. Replying to the Highway Fund deputation, Mr Fhrbes said that in the course of the criticism of th e Government the terms “robbery” and “embezzlement’ had ibeen used. It also had been said that, the Government were breaking their contracts. The interests of the country dame first, said Mr Forbes, and if it were necessary to break contracts they had to be broken. The National Expenditure Commission had been attacked from pillar to pert. The Commission had a difficult duty in saying candidly what it thought of the way th e Government were carrying on the business of the country. The long suffering taxpayer had a' right to know that money was being spent to the best possible advantage. He thought the Commission had done its work well in a pretty candid way. It had been ‘Subjected t 0 much abuse and criticism ; but he thought it had done a service to the people.