QUESTION IN HOUSE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4321, 23 August 1950, Page 4

QUESTION IN HOUSE

A SERIOUS POSITION

ROADS AND BRIDGES

REPLY TO MR A. S. SUTHERLAND

“The Government is fully aware of the seriousness of the position with regard to deterioration of . many roads and bridges and is doing all it can within the limits of the finance ahd materials avail- ' able to ensure ithaif the necessary remedial work is put in hand,” said the Minister of Works, the Hon. Mr W. S. Goosman, replying in the House of Representatives, to a question asked by Mr A. S. Sutherland (Government, Hauraki).

In his question Mr Sutherland asked whether the Minister would give an indication as to the .steps he had taken to remedy the serious state of affairs disclosed in the annuaL report of the Transport Department, that roads in many instances had deteriorated in the past decade, and that no ’ fewer than 310 bridges were subject to emergency load restrictions. . ■ ■ The Minister added that' so far as . bridges were concerned, the difficulties were aggravated by the acute shortage of skilled bridge tradesmen. The problem was one of priorities, andi while so much of the country’s construction potential was required on urgent capital works of high priority, such as hydro-electric schemes, hous- •» ;

ing, schools, and: hospitals, only limited resources were available for highway reconstruction! and bridge replacements. The position was, .however, being carefully watched; and everything possible was being doheto overcame the arrears of work in .this field. • . , .