LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BETTER KOADS. NEEDED.

Maiubors of the Counties' conference waited on the Prime Minister yesterday to place before him the decision of tins conference in its recent meetings. Mr. A. E. Jull, who spoke for the conference, emphasised tho need for better 'roading, and improved methods of finance. , , The Prime Minister said that he was in full agreement with much of what had- been said. He realised that motor traction had come to stay, .mid that motor traction with good roads would revolutionise the country life of this country. The question of whether the roads were made by the local .bodies or by the Government was not the most important question,, for the great need was for good roads. Naturally, tho Government wished to help in every possible way in development works, but there was a'limit to taxing and borrow-V ing. Something would have to bo done to make the motor-cars pay a great deal more in taxation than they had been paying, for they were the cliief destroyers of the roads. . He did not know whether there would be- time for this during the present session. If money were available he did.not doubt that-Parlia-ment -would be willing to increaso the subsidies' for local bodies, but the money was not yet in sight. Any amendment of the system of local body finance iypuld have to bo-carefully considered. One of his opinions-was that tho subsidy should bo proportional to tho rates collected by the local authority. He gave the deputation an assurance that tho Government would do everything possible to push on with hydro-electric schemes and good roading. THE GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION. The general demand throughout the country for good main roads was impressed upon the .Prime Minister yesterday by a deputation from the .Good Roads Association. ? Mr. jW. H. AVynyard, who spoke for the deputation, said that the association included within its membership not only local bodies, but motorists all over the country. They asked for good roads to give the' people a belter road service, and so make, possible increase of production. As a. means of securing a better use of the public money used in the construction and maintenance of roads, they commended to the Government the Victorian Act. The motorists were prepared to bear their share of the cost „of improving the roads, but they would submit only to Government taxation— they suggested a tax on tyres—and they would object strongly to the local bodies being given power to tax them independently. .

Mr. Masscy said that he was in the fullest Agreement with the views of the deputation. He admitted that there was a general demand all over the country for improvei roads, and ho admitted that there was nothing of which the country was in greater need. The matter was, however, wholly one of finance, and there wiis a limit to the sums' of money that could bo borrowed, and to the tax-paying capacity of the country. The.association could rely upon the sympathy of the Government in its.request for better roads. No doubt the country needed a tetter system of road-making, and better methods of administration. He was not personally acquainted with the Victorian Act, but he promised to Tead it. and if the Government'thought that New Zealand could profit.by the adoption of (he Hill, they would not be slow ,to act. H> promised to give the matter consideration before the. House rose. The laying down and the upkeep of.good' roads' would bo taken in hand earnestly and vigorously us opportunity offered.