FOOTING THE BILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22167, 22 July 1935, Page 8

FOOTING THE BILL

When the Government proposed to construct a scenic road through the very difficult country lying between Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound, no word of criticism was heard in the South Island. Apparently it was assumed that this expensive work was to be paid for out of national funds, found chiefly by the Public Works Department and the Unemployment Board. It is a different story now that the Government has wished the work on to the Highways Board by declaring it a main highway. Both Christchurch and Dunedin are already showing concern, probably because they realise that the cost of the road will make heavy inroads on the South Island's share of the highways fund. It would be poetic justice if the South Island had to foot the bill for what is admittedly a luxury road, but about the financial details of which it has in the past shown blissful unconcern, while waxing enthusiastic and even lyric on its justification as a national scenic asset. Some assets seem to depreciate seriously in the estimation of the receivers, when they are called on to pay for them. Of course no one knows yet, although the road has been carried far toward its destination, what the cost will be. The Government steadfastly refuses to say. When Cabinet opened the tenders for the last stage of the work, the three-quarter-mile tunnel through the solid rock of the Homer Saddle, it decided that the prices quoted by private contractors were too high and it instructed the Public Works Department to undertake the contract. Since then it has decided to construct the tunnel wide enough to take two-way traffic, thus adding further to the cost of an already extravagant job. But perhaps even the Government is dismayed at the mounting expenditure upon which it has launched without first counting the cost. That may be the explanation of its latest move in unloading the undertaking upon the Highways Board. If the South Island finds it will have to pay out of its share of the board's funds, it may —very belatedly, it is true —begin to examine more narrowly the cost and justification of the road. That aroused sense of responsibility would be no bad thing, even if the motive should plainly be none other than selfishness.