The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, OCTOBER 3rd, 1921. THE COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, OCTOBER 3rd, 1921. THE COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

Tim conference of .Now Zealand Conntv Cmim ils whicli took place in Wellington lost week appears to have boon rather n notnblo gathering. There was a very largo attomlanoo of roprosontativo inon in local government from tlio north of Auckland province, to the extreme south of Southland Province. Thi 1 main subject for the consideration of the ((inference was that relating to the proposed Highways Hill of the Government. The bill itself was not submitted to the conference, but the .Minister of Public Works attended and gave an outline of the measure, and advanced his opinions in regard to the proposals. It appears the bill still requires the linal sanction of Cabinet and for that final touch Mr Masseys presence appears to be necssary. I he details of the measure were therefore list available, but the general principles on which the bill is founded, were expounded. The idea is to construct an arterial road from Auckland to the Bluff as a means to provide facilities for speedier travelling by road. The demand for this particular convenience emanates largely from the automobile people who have associated themselves i ml the title of tile Good Hoads Association—their object being to secure better and uniform roads for quicktransit. To the proposal of proposing a direct or arterial road north and south, the local body representatives in the aggregate objected. While regarding good roads as something essential, and what they have been aiming for always, they dissented to a straight line being drawn up and down

Xi'\v Zealand, and tliat route only J being if.msiileml tlie main highway. I In many taros it was pointed out sm-h I a road would parallel tin* railway lint’s : and improved as procured tin* roads 1 would filter into eompetition with the I Railways, (ienerally, too, those long J distance roads would be used more for I pleasure than for eomniercial purposes I and as such wore largely a luxury. ! What the conference favoured were * good roads within each County leading over the principal highways of the district as feeders to the railways. A plea was put in for the hack-block districts which wore not given any consideration in the Government main loads scheme. Too many eggs wen 1 b-.ing put in one basket, and the protest of the County representatives was very pronounced. At the same time it was recognised that the Government was seeking to do something in regard to legitimate reform, and the conference offered its suggestions on that point. First, it was pointed out that the Government control as proposed would mean a very large cost for administrative expenditure in setting up road staffs etc. The Minister estimated the initial cost of his highway scheme at about half a milium, and the proposal from tin* local bodies was that this sum should ho utilised in extra rate subsidies to the counties, the money to he earmarked for improvement of main County roads within the respective districts. It was pointed out the local bodies had the road staffs in existence already and could undertake the expenditure without nay special cost for administration. Along these lines the conference a ope ned to work very unitedly, and when the Highways Hill comes hcl’mv the llmem the fate of th“ measure will turn on the isuie whether the Government sug gestion is to he accepted or that of t-e« local bodies. Probably in the end nothing will la* done this session, but next year should see not only something attempted but also something done.