COUNTIES' CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1923, Page 2

COUNTIES' CONFERENCE

COUNTIES DEPUTATION. [by TKt.r.oiiAvn —rrat i*kess association.] WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. A deputation from the Counties Conference waited on the Prime Minister. Mr A. E. .7 til I was spokesman and in his address covered the main decisions arrived at by the recent gathering. Replying, Mr Massey said he was very glad to learn from the deputation that the Conference had been successful. lie had gathered from the press and members of Parliament who had attended the proceedings. that very good work had been done. On this lie congratulated the Conference. Regarding legislation dealing with roads, he said the matter of finance was a ’considerable item. However, one thing that had to be done in this country was to provide for motor traffic. It was all very well to talk about the effect of ibis on the railways, but New Zealand must have up-to-date means of transport and communication. If we did not have good roads, wo would fall behind other countries. He thought arterial roads .should be attended to in the first place. He was glad to hear that the Conference had decided in favour of giving the new scheme a fair trial. There was the question of a loan, ami ho wanted to say that, its Prime Minister he* had various difficulties to meet, lie was exercising great care in the matter of expenditure for various reasons, among them the approaching end of Uto moratorium, arrangements respecting which were proceeding satisfactorily. He did not thitut there was going to he much trouble when the end of the period was reached. From enquiries ho had made of men in a position to speak with authority, he did not anticipate any troubie. Another thing for which money would have to he found was the new Advances scheme.

Mr Jail: Those proposals amount to only £300,000 a year. Mr Massey said the question was otto of the Highways Board getting money. If enough could be got out of tyre tax well and good. He understood there was something of the sort in operation. He would take an opportunity of looking into matters concerning the collection of such a tax.