HIGHWAYS’ BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 18971, 19 June 1923, Page 5

HIGHWAYS’ BOARD

SEPARATE BODY WANTED OTAGO AGITATION (Per United Press Association). DUNEDIN. June 18. The agitation for a stronger voice by the South Island in the administration of the Main Highways Act was carried another step by a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Council to-night. The matter was introduced by Mr R. H. Todd, who asked that the Chamber should associate with the Expansion League in agitating for a separate South Island Board. The roads in the South Island, he said, were in a much better condition than those in the North Island, but in the North they had good harbours, while the South had small one.* but they could not expect the North Island people to give them money to improve them. That, from Otago s standpoint, was the argument in connection with roads. Mr Todd moved:—“That this meeting reaffirms the principle of two boards to administer the Main Highways Act.” The resolution was carried and it was also decided that the Vigilance Committee should frame a resolution on the matter for submission to the Minister of Public Works and Otago members of Parliament. REQUEST FOR BOARD FOR SOUTH ISLAND. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, June 18. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon J. G. Coates), does not approve of the proposal made by the Marlborough Automobile Association that two main highway boards should be set up, one for the North and one for the South Island referred to in a Press Association telegram published yesterday “A year ago,” said Mr Coates, yesterday, “the conference unanimously decided that two boards would be impracticable, the board has set up and I believe it will function. I understand,” added the Minister, “that the executive of the South Island Motor Union is coming to Wellington in such case I shall be pleased to see them and discuss the matter.”