HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18631, 9 May 1932, Page 7

HIGHWAYS BOARD.

ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. PRIORITY OF CLAIMS CRITICISED. BACK BLOCKS ROADING URGED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Discussing the amendment In the Finance Bill introduced on Saturday in connection with the Alain Highways Board funds, Mr F. Langstone (Labour —Waimarino) said the Government was simply playing up to the Highways Board in granting the concession that the- minimum requirements of the board should have priority over the claims of the Consolidated Fund. He alleged that- there had been wilful and irresponsible, waste of publio money by the Highways Board in the past. The Hon. A. D. McLeod (Government —Wairarapa) expressed satisfaction with the amendment, adding that probably no electorate had benefited more than Waimarino from the board’s expenditure in the past. He considered Mr Langstone was “ very thankless indeed on behalf of the electors he professed to represent.” Mr Langstone contended that the centre of the North Island had not had the amount expended on it that had been required. The Minister of Public Works, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates: There has been more expenditure in the centre of the North Island than anwyhere else.

Mr W. J. Poison (Independent Government —Stratford) said he believed the amendment would be satisfactory both to motor associations and to local bodies.

Air A. E. Ansell (Government — Chalmers) also expressed his appreciation of the Government’s action In introducing the amendment. He said if the attitude advocated by Mr Langstone were adopted it would be damaging to electorates because the Consolidated Fund did not make provision for one penny for the main highways. Mr D. McDougall (Government — Mataura) supported Mr Langstone, declaring that back-blocks roads had not had a fair share of the expenditure. Benefiting the Wealthy. The Leader of tho Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, said the amendment meant nothing at all, because it still left the Alinister of Finance in supreme control. Air Holland said he" did not favour any raids being made on the highways account because it was important to the economic welfare of the Dominion. There should be an adequate reading system wheih would facilitate the efficient marketing of primary and secondary industries. He made a plea for greater attention to backblock roads. The clause, even as amended, gave the Alinister too much power and there was the danger that highways would be negle’cted for the purpose of relieving the wealthier section of the community from extra taxation. Mr Coates said there had been a difference of opinion between one department and another as to the. extent of shrinkage of revenue to be received this year from the petrol tax. One had fixed the falling off at 12 J per cent, and the other estimate supported the contention that it would be less than thjt. Both the Main Highways Board and the Public Works Department had agreed that £650,000 would be sufficient for the bare maintenance this year of 10,000 miles of road, which worked out at £65 per mile. That would not provide first-class maintenance, but it would be sufficient to meet requirements for the next 12 months. Minister Satisfied. Air Coates said that once the roads were allowed to go back it would cost not £65 a mile for maintenance but £6OO. “ I am satisfied that the arrangement that has been made between the departments, the Treasury and the Ministers concerned for the £650,000 to be made available will be carried Out in any case,” added Mr Coates, “but the amendment which was inserted at the result of members making representations makes the position absolutely clear, although in my personal opinion it would not matter if the (amendment were not Incorporated.” Mr Holland moved an amendment to ensure that the amount of the petrol tax revenue retained in the Consolidated Fund should be used to Improve the reading system of the backblocks districts of the Dominion.

Something of a surprise was created when Air A. Stuart (Government, Rangitikei) moved that the closure be applied, this being the first occasion on which a private member has submitted such a motion in connection with a Government Bill. The motion was accepted by the chair and adopted by 42 votes to 19.

The Government amendment was carried on voice and a division was then taken on Mr Holland’s amendment, which was defeated by 40 votes to 21. The clause as amended was adopted on the voices.