Control of Highways

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 5

Control of Highways

Board to Take Over Main Arterial Roads

HELPING COUNTIES AND BACKBLOCKS FARMERS

Important changes in the control of nighways throughout, the Dominion were foreshadowed by the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) in tne course of a reply to a deputation wfiicn waited on him in Foxton yesterday, tne Minister intimating that Parliament would be asked to consider legislation in this direction at tho comug session. “I have in mind an idea whicli, I think, should be written into the law this year—that is, that all main arterial roads should be under the control of the Main Highways Board,” he stated. “If that is done there would be a tremendous measure of relief for counties, in that we would not ask them to find anything for main arterial roads. The funds would be provided by the Government and would be administered by the Main Highways Board. 1 think that should be done.

“A main highway means what it says,” the Minister continued, "it 13 a national highway and should bo controlled out of a national fund. On the way things are to-day, we find strips of road completed and others not. Things are higgledepiggedly.” Mr W. E. Barber (chairman of the Mauawatu (Jouuty Council) drew attention to the fact that some counties had done their share in roading matters and had raised big loans on which they had to pay large sums by way of interest and sinking fund. The Minister said he thought the policy of counties having to pay for main arterial roads was wrong; they should not be called on to contribute a sixpenny piece. If that became the position, they would be able lu look ►after the secondary highways. “To my idea,” Mr Bemple proceeded, “we have neglected tho back-country roads. When I see tho conditions under which some farmers aro labouring, if m..kes me bilious. They are not going to be neglected while I am Minister. We are living in an age when a proper roading system is a wonderful asset. The man in the back-blocks who is producing butter or wool is starting from behind scratch, and we have got to let him get his produce to the markets. He must be given facilities to get his produce to internal or external markets.

“My idea is that we should allocate a certain amount of money per year for main arterial roads and then tell the engineers to plan their work for the next three years—l can’t say longer than three years because I mightn’t still be Minister. The engineers would then know what their income would be for that time.

“I am not going to be stopped by petty jealousies and humbugs; they will have to step ou it to stop me,” the Minister concluded. Mr Barber asked if counties which had raised big loans for roading purposes were going to be relieved of tho burden of meeting intrest and sinking fund charges.

“There is no intention in the Bill to do that,” replied the Minister, “but we can talk about it later.”