MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 9

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

TO TUB BIJITOB Sir, —With much regret I read the decision of the Better Beads Conference that the present £ for £ subsidy should be increased to £2 for £1 as the solution of better upkeep. Your remarks in your feuding article ot the 3rd inst. that, with tins fast increasing modern traffic, the upkeep of our arterial roads is undoubtably a national concern, and should be recognised and treated so, is more to the point County control of earlier date was quite adequate for local demands, but the terrific increase in foreign traffic has created quite another problem. the indictment against the retiring Bruce Council that £50,000 would be required 'to put the main roads under its care,, even with a gravel surface, in reasonable order, is surely a strong reflection on its management, and a stronger testimony still that a change from council control is desirable. Other councils with better methods find the £ for £ quite enough, but, as admitted, to ask for more if we can get it is quite a human weakness They then would find their finances in excess of requirements, while still Bruce with its antique methods would still be shoit of finance, and its roads would still be deplorable. You only have to cross the Bruce boundary at Round Hill tunnel into Tuapeka for plain testimony on good and bad handling;—on the one hand excellent, on the other hand depUr able, each carrying the same volume of traffic. One is forced sometimes. to think that Bruce councillors • are shareholders in the nearest motor 'garage, the Bruce portion being strewn with broken cai springs. It is on record that the Bruce Council stonewalled the Exhibition grant, thinking that its people live unto themselves, which is quite a mistaken idea. This great, ami wonderful national prefect line grown and prospered, with or without Bruce aid, be yond all human expectation. The wheel oi progress driven and steered by Otago men, of whom we are proud, has crushed all pessimism and opposition as dust beneat.n the wheel. I say, “all honoui to 'hem' May their shadow never grow less. As a ratepayer, I suggest the Government control the main roads, leaving the by-laws for local bodies. Meanwhile Rome is burning.—l am etc,, Impartial..