ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Northern Advocate, 3 November 1931, Page 6

ROAD CONSTRUCTION

LAST YEAR’S EXPENDITURE. (Special to "Northern Advocate.”) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Minister of Public Works, in his annual statement presented to Parliament last evening, dealt with road construction as follows:

During the past financial year construction and improvement of roads throughout the Dominion were actively prosecuted, and many settlers who previously had little or no access to their properties have had their position in this rc-pcct considerably improved.

The opening-up of new lands for settlement has also been responsible for increased loading activity, and several large areas arc now being opened no.

A total sum of £2,233,428 has been expended l on the construction of roads and main highways, as against £2,158,056 for the preceding year. Roads other than main highways accounted for £1,475,522 of this sum, and main highways £757,906, compared with £.1,060,908 and £1,097,148 for 1929-30.

The actual increase in expenditure on roads other than main highways during the year is, therefore, £414,614, tho increase being principally due to the necessity of providing work for the unemployed.

As a result .of the duration of the present depression and the need for providing relief for unemployed, roads throughout the Dominion which under normal conditions would be looked upon as of sufficiently high standard to meet present-day requirements Lave been further improved in width, grade, and alignment. Many roads have been trimmed up in preparation for metalling, and in some instances in isolated districts, owing to special circumstances, metalling has actually been done by the Government. It is essential, however, that the hitherto-followed principle, in accordance with which local bodies finance a portion of the cost of metalling, should continue to be followed, and only those localities which warrant exceptional treatment will receive special Government assistance.