HIGHWAYS FUNDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 230, 28 August 1929, Page 5

HIGHWAYS FUNDS.

SEIZURE CONDEMNED. WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. The contention that unemployment will be increased as a result of the Government's of highways funds was made in the House of Representatives to-night by Mr J. Liiiklater (Manawatu). “A good deal of uneasiness is being felt by practically every county council concerned over the Government’s intention to withdraw the £230,000 transferred from the Public Works Fund 'to the construction fund of the Main Highways Board ; ” said Mr Link later. “If this sum is withdrawn it will mean that many of the works that are at present under construction will be left in an unfinished condition. There is no doubt that it will Qiuse unemployment in very many parts of New Zealand. In the Manawatu, highways works are being carried out on a fairly extensive scale. If this proposal is given effect to 140 men on one work will be out of work, and fourteen on .another will lose their employment. The transfer of this sum is specified by Act, together with the contribution of £35,000 from the Consolidated Fund to the revenue fund of the Main Highways Board, and these sums cannot be withdraw without an amendment of the Act. The Minister of Defence (Hon. T. M. Wilford): It has got to be put on the Estimates every year. The Leader of the Opposition: Whiat has? The Minister: The £35,000. The Leader of the Opposition: Oh, no. Mr Linklater: Well it should be on this year. (Hear, hear.) Mr Linklater also spoke on behalf of the boroughs of a population of urtiler 6000 which had put down their roads in permanent material, iand were now receiving no assistance. For years they received a maintenance subsidy, but it was discontinued, and they were not receiving anything even from the petrol tax. The existing state of affairs meant that progressive boroughs were being penalised. In fact, boroughs which had done nothing with the .inroads were receiving a £3 for £1 subsidy on construction, and something as well for maintenance. The borough of Levin‘had put down good roads in permanent material. For five -oars no maintenance had been required, and, according to' a recent report, none would be for another five years. The Public Works Minister should go into the question with a view to providing a remedy. Good roads were the backbone of a country, and, in Mr Linklater’s opinion, the great improvements made in New Zealand’s highways would stand as a monument to the Leader of the Opposition who had been the originator* of iho legislation now in operation.