THAT £350,000.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19148, 3 November 1927, Page 8

THAT £350,000.

—*— HIGHWAYS BOARD FUNDS. SHOULD LOAN BEAR INTEREST?

"The South Island should have a separate Main Highways Board, and that seems to me the only way out of the difficulty," said the chairman, Mr J. A. Flesher, at last night's meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League. The remark was made in the courso of a discussion on the loan of £350,000 of South Island money from the revenue account of the Board to the construction account. The organiser reported having received a letter from Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., stating that the Minister for Publio Works, the Hon. Mr Williams, had stated that legislation would be included in the next Finance Bill, empowering the Minister for Finance to restore the money transferred to the construction fund in such sums, and at such times, as he might decide on after consultation with the Main Highways Board. The understanding was that the money should be restored as, and when, it was required by the revenue fund, but dates could be fixed only as requirements arose. "A politician's reply 1" said the chairman.

followed, and it was decided that tho Government should be pressed for a more definite statement as to when the money would be refunded,- and that in the meantime the money should bear interest. It was also decided to suggest the establishment of a South Island Main Highways Board.