ROAD DETERIORATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 62, 9 February 1933, Page 6

ROAD DETERIORATION.

Discounting the fact that the assertion made by the President of the North Island Motor Union — that road surfaces in the Dominion are showing- serious signs of deterioration —may be regarded in some circles as a continuation of the propaganda against motor taxation specially levied for road upkeep being devoted to other purposes by the Government, the point remains that there is a growing 1 conviction among those interested in the subject that the authorities should study the economic results of the diversion of road funds to other channels. Mr O’Callaghan clainis that it seems perfectly plain that the present and past raids on the road fund are resulting in the roads falling into a state of disrepair that will be very costly in the long 1 run to remedy. His opinion is supported by the Mayor of Wellington, who addressed the delegates at the opening l ol the Union’s hallyearly conference, and doubtless there are others who will bear out the same assertion. From the inception of the Main Highways Board until a year or two back, rapid progress was made with the creation of firstclass highways out of special taxation subsidised by contributions /out of the Consolidated Fund, and by provision by local

authorities. A definitely high standard was attained, not without high cost, and one of the main contentions in the jjro vision of these highways was that, in addition to providing the surface due to the motor taxpayers, there would result to the local bodies concerned substantial saving’s in maintenance. Since the full force of the economic blast has been felt, the Government has deemed it expedient to convert a large part of the motor taxation to other purposes, while local bodies, in turn, have pruned very carefully every item of road expenditure so that any works which can be held over until times improve shall be delayed. In considering this subject one turns to the fact that, while highways may be deteriorating for want of sufficient maintenance, unemployed relief workers are engaged in some almost useless occupations, and they might profitably be engaged in preserving a national asset—the main roads. Expert opinion would, perhaps, say that the chief cost of such maintenance is material and machinery, but if there is room for the absorption of relief labour on such works it should be utilised. Preparation of the statistics relating to the costs of establishing main highways and their annual rate of maintenance, joined with the possibility of utilising relief labour on these, would perhaps serve as a useful guide for those whose concern the subject should be. In dealing with the question it might become necessary for the Government to treat all main highways as national not as the concern of individual local bodies, and in that respect difficulties might arise.