MANAWATU GORGE ROAD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2514, 15 July 1915, Page 2

MANAWATU GORGE ROAD

A PLEA FOR NATIONALISATION.

To urge nationalisation of the Manawatu Gorge Jipad was the object of alarge deputation of representatives from all locai . bodies interested, which waited on the Minister of Public Works (tho t? 0I V iW .yesterday. Mr. J. H. Escott, M.l. (Palmtua), introduced the deputation, and said that the road at present was quite adequate for the local bodies adjacent to it, but ■ the large amount of traffic passing through from other parts would necessitate its widening, and the cost should not be put upon tile local, bodies. 1

Mr. L. It Bryant, Kairanga County Council, stated that his council felt the position more heavily because they had no land to levy on. If the Government could not see its way to nationalise the road he suggested that the scope of the contributing bodies should be enlarged, even as far as_ Jfapier, so that tho burden would be less on those counties adjacent to the Gorge. Burrell, Oroua County Council, said that the road was a connecting link, over which traffic came from Taranaki, Jlawkes Bay, Wairarapa, and Wellington. J.lie road was accommodating the motor traffic of New Zealand, and a small number of adjacent local bodies had to pay for the upkeep. Sir. D. Buick, M.P., said that both the motor traffic and tho etovi traffic was ot more interest to Taranaki and Hawke's Bay than to the contributing bodies. A tax on motor-care would easily pay for the upkeep, and if it was widened its benefit would be increased. Mr. E, Newman, M.l'. (Itangitikei), said ha hoped that if tho Government could not see its way to tako over the road, they would set up a Commission to inquire into the expediency of enlarging tiie contributing area. In reply, Mr. Fraser said that the request was not a new-one, but the members had to realise that this was not.the only road which they had been asked to tako over. He could mention a dozen roads similarly situated, and one coidd not be taken over without the others wanting the same consideration. Motorists were using some of the roads in preference to the railways, and then asked that tho roads should be made motor roads. Well, if the motorists wanted to use the roads for that purpose, they would have to pay by taxation. Yet there was a. "howl" when the Government proposed to put a small tax. on cars here. The. Government could not possibly'do all the things nsked of them. He thought that as practical men they had to consider how to get over the difficulty, and his own view was that those who used tho road should have to contribute. Tho local bodies could apply for n. Commission to consider the extension of the contributing bodies, for lie recognised the unfairness of tho small number of bodies paying for the upkeep of a road used by others. If they asked for an Extending Commission ho would give his help, but he could hold out no liope of nationalisation, until tho question was 'dealt with in a comprehensive manner by legislation.

Mr. Escott said tliat the local bodies had decided to ask for an Enlarging Commission, and a toll of the traffic using the road would bo taken, in November, December, and January nest.