THE NEWMARKET ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15237, 26 February 1913, Page 6

THE NEWMARKET ROADS.

The Government cannot be congratulated upon the unbending attitude it has assumed towards the Newmarket Borough Council in the matter of the small supplementary loan necessary to complete unfinished road improvements. It may be said that Newmarket should have taken advantage of its contiguity with Auckland to join the City and thus make itself financially independent of the State; undoubtedly there is in this a touching and powerful argument for amalgamation. But although . Newmarket might have thus escaped from dependence, upon an overburdened Advances Department and although rural bodies have no alternative, the fact remains that Newmarket, like other boroughs, ; has been led to expect the usual consideration, has involved itself upon this reasonable ; expectation and suddenly finds itself brought face to face with a blank I Ministerial refusal to assist its urgent necessity, in any way what- ! ever. Newmarket has set itself to place its roads in a creditable condition, a public work from which not only its own residents but every country resident who passes through Newmarket reaps the benefit. Among the roads thus advantageously affected is an important section of the southward arterial system of Auckland and Auckland province, and this at least must be regarded as a truly national work. That the Continuous Government left the finances of x the country in a, dubious condition, and involved its successor in a multitude of commitments, is positively no -reason why Newmarket should be harshly and unjustifiably treated. The, borough is paying a higher rate than it anticipated for a portion of the loan-money it has received and for this increased charge the Government can fairly plead necessity; but what can it plead— a loan safely floated— the refusal to give any undertaking to provide the small balance of the full amount which the borough was authorised to borrow and for which it naturally relied upon the Advances,; Department with which it was transacting its business? To leave streets unfinished and to disband a body of men organised for the work before it is completed cannot but lead to considerable loss both to the borough and wts employees. The Government should reconsider the situation and should give an undertaking which will enable the necessary money to be raised and the commendable Newmarket road improvement scheme to be carried to a successful conclusion.