THE MAIN ROADS BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17885, 13 September 1921, Page 6

THE MAIN ROADS BILL.

MOUNT ALBERT OBJECTION.

REPLY FROM MINISTER.

COUNCIL NOT SATISFIED.

.The Main Roads BAT" was referred to again at last night's meeting of the Mount Albert Borough Council. Letters were read from the Otahuhu Borough Council and Kaiapoi Borough Council, supporting the Mount Albert Council in the action which it had taken.

The Minister for Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coatee, in acknowledging the receipt of the council's letter enclosing the resolution passed by the council, stated that he had carefully noted the representations made. As previously stated, it was not proposed to make provision for boroughs or cities in the proposed Main Roads BilL It was anticipated, though, that by the time the suggested board had had a year's experience, and' had ascertained the capacity of local authorities other than those set out in the proposed Bill, to meet requirements certain provision might be necessary, but this would greatly depend upon the board's recommendations.

The Hon. C. J. Parr, member for the district, wrote as follows: "Apparently the new arrangement is to be tentative and experimental. Should it pppear to the Main Roads Board—as I think it must undoubtedly appear—that certain boroughs will not be able to carry the whole burden of keeping up a main road, then it would seem that the board may make a recommendation to the Minister that assistance shall be given to any such borough. I have had several talks with Mr. Coates. He feels that it is quite impossible at the initiation of the scheme definitely to include all boroughs affected, but "will try it out for thS, first year." The Mayor, Mr. A. F. Bennett, said thai he could not agree with the Minister's proposal. It seemed to him that it was on'.y playing with an experiment. The following resolution was moved by the Mayor: "That council is not satisfied with the new proposal set out by the Minister. Further, it confirms its view, already expressed, that there shall be no distinction a3 between boroughs, town and road districts, and cities."