King Country Chronicle Saturday, Feb. 7th, 1914 THE BACKLBOCKS' CONFERENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 641, 7 February 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, Feb. 7th, 1914 THE BACKLBOCKS' CONFERENCE.

The informal conference of tho Backblocks Local Bodies' Association, which was held yesterday, provided some very ' useful material for the efforts of the delegates, and if the various question raised be *fully considered with a view to action the Association will have justified its existence. The meeting waß convened at the instigation of the Ohura County Council to consider matters of detail as between the Public Works Department and the Council, but in the absence of the Department's representative the matter was held over. The chief item for discussion came up in the form of the main roed question. The subject was dealt with both local-

y and generallv, and the importance of the question to the King Country was manifested in no uncertain manner. It ia gratifying to note that the Awakino and Waitomo County delegates are of one mind with respect to the main Te Kuiti-Awakino road, and any steps which are likely to be taken to impruve the conditions will have the support of both counties. The proper steps are being taken in respect to the matter by deciding to obtain an expert report on the practicability of a railway, and with the information thuß provided the representatives of both counties should be in a position to taka immediate and comprehensive action to settle the matter on an equitable basis in the best interests of the district. Unfortunately any action decided upon will not provide for the upkeep of the road in the near future, and the neceasity of -keeping the road open for traffic during the coming winter must appeal to all. While commending the delegates for the manner in which the larger outlook has been adopted we would emphasise the necessity of immediate action with a view to maintaining the road until effect can b« given to any broad scheme for the permanent settlement of the difficulty. With respect to the principle of the Government taking over all main arterial roads little need be said in the meantime. No Government ia likely to take action in the direction indicated in the face of an adverse resolution by the Counties' Conference, and the matter will no doubt be again brought before the conference for discussion. There are many aspectß of the question to be considered, and providing adequate assistance is afforded by the Government towards the construction and maintenance of these roads it will probably be found advisable for the control of the main arterial thoroughfares to remain with the local bodies. As was pointed out by the chairman of the conference the basis of the matter is finance, and with an equitable distribution of financial responsibility, in which the Go?ernment would bear its fair proportion, the question of control would not be of outstanding importance.