LESS REVENUE EXPECTED

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1930, Page 9

LESS REVENUE EXPECTED

REVIEW OF MAIN HIGHWAYS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Blenheim, Last Night.

In the course of his remarks at the conference of the Main Highways Board and Marlborough local bodies, Mr. F. W. Furkett, chairman, made it clear that the board was expecting a reduction in income this year, and in consequence would have to restrict ex* pendituro in some degree. Mr. Furkctt’s remarks were prompted by the fact that several requests were made to the board for the declaration of additional highwavs in connection with which the board would have to pay subsidies. The board reviews the main highways every year and that review is due this month. “We must consider the present financial position,” said Mr. Furkett. All the indications at the present time are that the public is going to have smaller purchasing power than for several years past. That means that the public will burn less benzine, use less tyres and probably import fewer motorcars, and it is almost certain our revenue will be less. It will not increase the way it lias been increasing. We will have to go very cannily before we declare many extra highways. Any modifications wo make may be in the direction of moving from the lists roads which do not justify inclusion in the category of highways and giving in substitution roads that have stronger claims to being declared. The whole business will have to be gone into carefully in connection with the annual review.”