PUBLIC WORKS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 145084, 8 September 1916, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS.

MANY DEMANDS .pressed, on THE MINISTER. PSB PRESS ASSOCIATION. HAMILTON. Sept. 7. The Hon. \V. Fraser had an exceedingly busy time in Hamilton during the past three days, whero ho has been besieged with deputations for grants. Delegates from no less than ton County Councils' waited upon him, while numerous ones wore received from Road Boards and other local bodies. He had great difficulty in making the fact clear that the items in the estimates are not necessarily authorisations, and that nothing more than is actually authorised can bo granted. Mr. young, M.P.. declares that the present system of governing operations by tbo Public Works Department was very misleading, as votes wrro placed on tbo estimates when there wavs no hope of granting them. The Hon. W. Fraser, agreed that the system was the most stupid tlurt could be conceived. He did not altogether blame his predecessors, as the settlors and local bodies were willing parties to it. They asked for stuns P be placed on the estimates, which should not bo urged simply as a lever to secure future grants. In consequence items accumulated to such an extent that they could not be mot. Last year nearly £1,000.C00 was on the estimates, with only £ 120,000 to meet it.

Among other matters mentioned to the Hon. tV. Fraser was tin? question of national regulations governing motor traffic, and the need tor a national road tax for motors. The. Minister said undoubtedly there would have to bo a tax on motors in the near future. This would amount to a fairly large sum that would have to ho utilised to make roads suited to motor traffic. Ho favoured motor traffic regulations. He remarked that ho believed a majority of the Cabinet favoured a no lional tax and regulations.