MAIN HIGHWAYS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23322, 4 October 1945, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAYS

Funds For Development (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. The Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) gave an assurance when the vote for the Main Highways Account of £2,090,000 was reached in the House of Representatives to-night that all jobs stopped by the Government because of the war intervening would be resumed as soon as manpower was available. Mr W. A. Sheat (National, Patea) asked if there had been any declaration of new secondary highways by the Highways Board. Mr Semple said there had been no review of the position since the war, but the intention was to reconsider the whole position next year. He hoped it would be possible to relieve the burden of taxation on local bodies in this direction. Mr W. J. Polson (National, Stratford) asked for a statement of the Government's future policy in regard to the application of the petrol tax to highways development and maintenance. The position had drifted for a number of years until to-day it was impossible for the Highways Board to carry on successfully without assistance either from the fund under discussion or from some other sourse. Mr Semple said that the liability in connection with the highways was increasing every year, and difficulties were becoming more numerous. When we got back to normal conditions there would have to be a review of the position in order to maintain these highways as they should be maintained—at the highest possible degree of safety and efficiency. Money would have to be found somewhere, but whether it would come from the petrol tax. the Consolidated Fund or from some other source he was not in a position to say. The vote was passed, and also the votes of £640.670 for irrigation, water supply and drainage and £4040 cost of land. The House rose at 10.15 p.m.