IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 12

IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS

AETEEIAL BOAE.D SUGGESTED.,

Among the subjects to bo discussed at the conierenceol' chambers of commerce and local bodies, to be held in Wellington early next month, will be that of improvement of roads. The following remits dealing with the matter have so far been received:— Johnsonville Town Bjjard: "(1) That the Government be asked to legislate during the next session of Parliament for tho creation of an Arterial Eoads Board for the North Island of New Zealand, empowered to hiy solid slabs of concrete on the surfaces of the arterial. roads contiguous to , the Wellington-Auckland, Wellington-i\lapier.(via Wairarapa), and Mnrton-New Plymouth railway Hnee. (2) That such board be financed byfhe issue of State legal tender notes, upon which no interest shall bo charged, but which notes shall be redeemed on tlio'completion of this public work at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum from the proceeds of a. Government tax of £\ eacli upon all tyres, imported or manufactured for nee on power-driven vehicles within the North Island of New Zealand. (3) That the upkeep of these concrete-surfaced roads shall be borne by the local body, in which each length of roads vests after the expiry of one year from date of laying the concrete by tho Arterial Eoads Board." . \

■ Palmcrston North Chamber of Com-merce-.—"That tho timo has arrived when the Government should control the main arterial roads of' the Dominion with a view to the formation of permanent highways. That all local bodies be urged to co-operate in the work of putting tho main arterial roads in such permanent condition in respoot to the surface and width as to carry with safety tho rapidly-increasing number of power-driven vehicles." Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce:—"That the question of deviation and the improvement of main roads between Wellington citv and I'aekakariki on the one side, and Wellington city and Fcathci'stoii on the other side, be favourably considered by conference) for submission to a proposed bonrd of engineering and coiiiimircial experts, if such is sot up by tho Government."