PROTEST MADE AT PUBLIC WORKS GRANT ALLOCATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18803, 4 July 1929, Page 2

PROTEST MADE AT PUBLIC WORKS GRANT ALLOCATION.

FAR NORTHERN ROADS WILL SUFFER, DECLARE DEPUTATION MEMBERS. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND. July 3. A North Auckland protest against the changed system for allocating Publice Works grants in various road districts was threshed out with the Minister of Public Works, the Hon E. A. Ransom, by a deputation of members and county representatives. Captain Rush worth, who introduced the deputation, said that whereas £424,000 was voted last year for public works, only £400,000 was being voted this year. All recognised the need for economy, but to economise on backblocks roads was considered to be false economy. The fact was that the Far North was still far behind the average allocation, and it could ill afford to suffer a reduction in the allocation. Mr Coates, leader of the Opposition, explained that the system of automatic allocations which had operated since 1922 was based on statistical factors, money having been allocated on the mean average. If an endeavour was made to administer the money for the benefit of difficult counties then the whole system might be thrown out of balance. He suggested that the existing system of allocations should stand for this year, till the Minister had investigated the whole system himself. The Minister, in reply, said he was not surprised to hear the representations, although he had not received any objections from other districts also affected. Ilis main object was to arrive at some allocation fair to the whole Dqminion. He was sorry that he had been unable to visit North Auckland in the recess, but he realised that the settlers had manifested a desire for good roads in a practical way. What members of the deputation seemed to overlook was the fact that their districts were still going to be treated generously. Districts with which he was associated had also suffered reductions. The fact was that the North Auckland allocation was £49,180. Auckland £78.687, and Tauranga £18,793. They were the three

highest in New Zealand. The next highest was Stratford, with £45,949, and lower down the list was Wellington with £13,530. His endeavour was to he fair to every district. “ I am prepared to submit figures,” said Mr Ransom, “ and if the allocations are not fair I am prepared to amend them.” Mr Coates: Those figures you have are not a tittle, not a circumstance, of the whole. If the factors were fair and equitable then the allocations would automatically be fair. Mr Ransom: I am prepared to look into the question thoroughly, as I do not wish to do any district an injustice. 1 regret the necessity to cut down allocations, but when there is a deficit of approximately half a million one has got to cut down somewhere. Mr Coates: I hope the Minister hasn’t burned his boats by sending out notices. Captain Rushworth: Can’t you give us an assurance of some sort? Mr Ransom: I shall go thoroughly into it, and if I can’t convince myself I am right I shall not go on with it.