MAINTENANCE OF ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 8

MAINTENANCE OF ROADS.

The decision of the Main Highways Board to increase the subsidy to local authorities for maintenance of roads to £3 to £1 instead of £2 to £1 as at present will provide some measure of relief for rural ratepayers. In making known the decision of the board the Prime Minister said the increased subsidy was a recognition that local governing bodies are finding it difficult to collect rates and that it is true economy in the long run to prevent roads going ■back in condition. Unfortunately, the first part of these contentions is only too true. Every local authority is' well aware that, the ordinary payments of rates will be impossible for many settlers and that postponement must be accepted. But the need for road maintenance is imperative if heavy expenditure subsequently is to be avoided, and .the Highways Board, as the chief reading authority, is obliged to give this consideration due weight. Presumably, it will mean the curtailment of certain new road works which might otherwise have been put in hand. That is unfortunate, but is not irreparable, nor need it mean the waste of money already spent that would follow if existing well-made highways were allowed to deteriorate for lack of proper maintenance. Though the increased subsidy will not go very far, it will certainly give some relief to local authorities and aid their finances. The Prime Minister has referred on other occasions to the seriousness of the position in regard .to local body finance and the need for its investigation and reorganisation. Few are likely to disagree with him on this point, but while investigations and alterations are being achieved the main roads might be rapidly deteriorating. The Main Highways Board’s action gives practical assistance where it is badly needed, and does it with the promptitude that is almost as valuable as the assistance itself.