THE ROADING PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15192, 4 January 1913, Page 6

THE ROADING PROBLEM.

Nobody will envy the Minister for Public Works his task of attempting some practical solution of the reading problem. For the time being, as | Mr. Eraser explains in to-day's I Herald, the Reform Government has i enough to do in making good the promises and allocations by which i the Continuous Government tied the hands of Parliament for a year in advance; but when these dubious obligations have been honourably met we may hope to have a road policy enunciated which will meet with the hearty approval of the entire country. Mr. Fraser will doubtless bear in mind that the conditions under which the North is being settled differ from those under which the South became possessed of good roads and superabundant railways. In the first place the South obtained its roads largely by the sale of lands, while money received from Northern land sales has been paid into the consolidated revenues y and in the second place the North is badly railwayed because huge sums have been squandered upon unprofitable Southern lines. Historic facts and sad truths are not. altered by change of administration, and it should be clearly understood that the South is not to be pampered by more unpromising railway constructions while the North is expected to be content with roads. The North has a right to expect encouraging consideration of its roading needs as well as preference in "railway construction. Roads are in many cases more pressingly required than are railways, and settlers will be more than grateful to the Reform Government if Mr. Fraser can give them relief; but there are certain railway demands which cannot be ignored or belittled. The East Coast line will open up ah immense area of magnificent country and should be re-

■ ""■** ■ ~t,...,,,«■,■;,,;■ V; .'.':= •-;■■■;%;': garded by the Government as a project of the highest importance. It should be pushed forward from the Waihi end without any hesitation and should not be delayed by flimsy Departmental excuses. The Pokeno line is another construction which ranks with roads in importance, for it will open up splendid country and assist settlement in a very exceptional manner..