"GOOD ROADS" SCHEME

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16477, 23 February 1918, Page 11

" GOOD ROADS" SCHEME

MmTEMENT IN AUCKLAND. The movement thai lias teen inaug' nrated by the Auckland Automobile Association for the formation of an association to ho called "The Goo<? Roads Association of New Zealand," has beein advanced a stage-by ai special committee of the association which recently was appointed to investigate itlio subject. This committee, in report, ing to _ a general committee of the association, submitted the draft of ft ciircular which it suggested! should be sent to various local bodies. The circular contains a reference tc the system of dealing with' main roadp adopted in Viotioria in 1913. Under this scheme the Government voted £2,000,000 for the reconstruction of roads, which in the opinion of ai Government Roads Department should be taken over and classified as main, roads, the expenditure to be spread over five years. The. State provides 50 per cerit. of the capital cost and makes loans to local bodies through whose districts; the roads pass. The motor car traffic pays special license fees, which are earmarked for upkeep. The Government, it w-as added, reaped its reward directly in improved land values and consequent increase in revenue. The adoption of this system in New' Zealand had been supported at a conference of the associated chambers of commerce held in Wellington in November last. Legislation, it was stated would be required lo bring the proposed scheme into operation, and in. order to; obtain this it was necessary to infiuentially Fring the matter under" the notice of legislators and the public. Tho president of thie association, Mr "W. PL Hemingway, said that he had personal knowledge of the'success ofj the system in Victoria. I The report was. adopted. v