MAIN ROADS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16696, 30 March 1922, Page 7

MAIN ROADS.

THE COMING CONFERENCE. to the “Star.’’) WELLINGTON, March 30. i The Hon J. G. Coates, Minister of j Public V\ orks, is inviting re present aj lives or the Counties Association, the ; municipalities, Motor Associations and I Good Roads Associations, to confer i with him and his officers in Wellington I some time in May on the subject of i highways legislation. The Minister in j formed your correspondent that lie wishes to have a frank discussion of ail phases of tho problem of good roads, and he will place before the conference every particle of information n the possession of the Public Works Department. It must be realised.” he remarked, that this problem can only be solved by legislation, and I wish to have a suitable measure ready for consideration by Cabinet before next session. A fund is accumulating from the tyre tax, and until we secure legislation there is no authority to spend this money. As it will not- be sufficient for a complete scheme of road improvement and maintenance, other sources of revenue, such as license fees, must also he authorised. The conference will be asked to discuss main roads, market roads and tertiary roads they are ail important to tho development of the country. The allocation of the fund, the method of expenditure, arc matters which must be diseased, so that a good understanding. can be secured between the Government and local authorities. The conference is to be held fairly close to the session, so that the whole matter will be fresh in the minds of all concerned when the time arrives for legislation, if Cabinet approves cf dealing with it next session. ' The Minister was reminded of an important report oil toll gates which officers of his Department submitted to the House last sesion. In this suggestions were made for financial adjustments to obviate the establishment of more toll gates in New Zealand. Mr Coates replied that this report could be considered by the conference, as he desired every aspect of a very big question to be thoroughly con side red.