DEMAND FOR GOOD ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 16

DEMAND FOR GOOD ROADS

WEAR OF MORE TRAFFIC FINANCE PROBLEM ARISES [by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION*] ASHBURTON, Friday In replying to a request by the Ashburton County Council for a subsidy of £130,500 on its paving programme for the next four years, Mr. A. .T. Bake, deputy-chairman of the Main Highways Board, this morning said the increase in motor registrations sinco the board granted large subsidies three j'ears ago demanded the restriction of subsidies and resulted in local authorities asking permission to raise loans without the consent of the ratepayers. This was the Government's policy, he said, but the board had been into the question and had made a certain recommendation to the Government. Three years ago motor registrations were *120,000 and now they were 250,000, the increase in 1936 being 12 per cent over 1935. There was every likelihood that the increase would continue for some years to come. Combined with higher speeds, this had caused higher expenditure by tho board, which was compelled to give aid only in the most urgent cases. Mr. C. J. Talbot, a member of the board, said the position was arising where the demands for good roads must result in increased rates nil round.