BETTERMENT SYSTEM FOR DRAINAGE WORKS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6911, 17 May 1929, Page 8

BETTERMENT SYSTEM FOR DRAINAGE WORKS

Minister’s Hint to Manawatu BITUMEN AND THE BACKBLOCKS Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, May 16. Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, spent the morning in and around Blenheim, later departing in the direction of Nelson. He received a number of deputations concerning local requirements. Replying to the civic welcome, the Minister said in connection with tho river protection scheme that it was a pity that when some of these schemes were started some betterment system had not been intnoduced so that the land owners substantially benefiting by a protective or drainage scheme could be compelled to contribute for the benefit of those worse off. He could assure them that in any new schemes, such as that proposed in Manawatu, the principle of betterment would be put into operation before any assistance would be forthcoming from the Government. Mr. Ransom also touched on loading problems. He gave the Reform Administration full credit for the great improvements in the roads in recent years, but in travelling round he realised that there was still a great deal to be done for the country roads and backblocks roads, and that would have to bo tackled. He had been threatened that if ho interfered with tho petrol tax there would be a howl from the motor organisations, but he did not care much if there was. It was obvious that there were many backblocks payers of the petrol tax who had not howled loud enough in the past. They required just as much consideration ‘as those motorists who had the privilege of motoring over our into bitumen roads.