ARTERIAL ROADS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 298, 12 September 1919, Page 9

ARTERIAL ROADS

QUESTION OF MAINTENANCE

CHARGE ON CONSOLIDATED FUND i Tho question of tho upkeep of main arterial roads was considered by the conference of tho Municipal Association .yesterday, when the following remit from the Newmarket Borough Council was' received:—(l) That tho lime ! hns arrived when tho Government should control the main arterial roads of the Dominion, with a view to tho formation of permanent highways; (2) that all local bodies be urged to co-operate in tho work of putting the main arterial roads ili such permanent condition in respect to the surfaco and width as to ca,rrv with safety the rapidly increasing number of powerdriven vehicles. A resolution passed by tho Palmorston North Chamber of Commerce was also before tho conference. Tho brief effect of tho resolution was:—The need of renewing roads (o copo with,tho increasing motor traffic and increase in weight of vehicles; tho largo through traffic that now exists; and the overstraining of tho finances of local bodies (the chamber suggested a tyre tax). The chamber also suggested tho appointment of a nonpolitical board of engineers, etc., to dccido on arterial roads, and supervise the construction thereof, the work' lo bo carried out by the local bodies or by special gangs of trained workmen, as might bo found most economical. The remit, was seconded bv Mr. J. Park (Mayor of O'nehunga), who commended to the conference the adoption of the Victorian system of road control. Mr. E. P.. Jtishwort'h. (Mayor of Lower Hutt) supported the remit. He favoured 60me system of administration under non-political control, which would jjivo thoroughly sound roads from ono end of thp Dominion to the other.

The Hon. J. Barr. M.L.C. (Mayor of Sumner) said that the dav of .waterbound macadamised roads had gong, and some new system of road construction, calculated to meet the exigencies of modern traffic, must be found. Ho was in favour of the remit.

Mr. R. B. Hornblow (Mayor of Dnrgaville) put in a piea for the settlers in the "roadless north." In tho interests of the soldier settler*, alone good roads were urgently needed in that,part of the country.

Mr, Byron Brown (Otaki Town Board) thought a tax should be imposed on motor vehicles, tho revenue from which , should be devoted to the upkeep of roads. Miss E. Melville (Auckland City Council) did not think that the Government should control tho roads. It would be much better if tho Government assisted the local bodies in the matter of maintenance. Sho favoured the imposition' of a wheel tax for' the purpose of raising funds for road upkeep. Miss Melville moved aii amendment on behalf of tho Auckland Council that, taking into account the altered" circumstances brought about by motor traffic, the conference should urge upon the Government that the cost of the making and maintenance of the main arterial roads of the Dominion should bo a charge on Hie Consolidated Fund.

Mr. A. D. Ford (Mayor of Eicearton; seconded the amendment.

Mr. E. Dixon (Mayor of Hawera! though! it was useless to .urge that money should be taken from the Consolidated Fund without suggesting means of increasing the revenue of the fund.

After further discussion, the remit from the Newmarket Borough Council was withdrawn. Tho amendment wits'then substituted for the motion aud was carried.

The conference carried a .resolution urging the adoption of a tyre tax us a means of contributing to the revenue for the maintenance of the main arterial roads. ■■' ■ .