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Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1926, Page 2

Ix view of the fact that some roading authorities seem not quite sure of the extent to which the assistance of the

Main Highways Board may ho obtained, the following summary of the board’s functions and activities will be of interest. The list is published in a pamphlet issued by the board entitled ‘‘The Dawn of Better Beads.” It will advise any county council or road Hoard on engineering matters in connection with the maintenance and construction of main highways. It will test roadmaking materials for any such local body free of charge, and make investigations of quarry sites. Tt encourages and helps to pay for the laying down of experimental stretches oT road-surfacing. It assists local bodies in the purchase of up-to-date plant under a hire-purchase system. It encourages thorough preliminary investigation by survey of loading schemes, and will pay the entire cost of any surveys made at its own instigation, but not adopted, and one-half the cost of all surveys adopted. It has inaugurated a system for the examination of road ovcr.seeis and foremen in the knowledge of modern road-construc-tion, so that competent men will become available for engagement by local authorities. It desires to raise Ui-3 standards of road-construction throughout the country, and to this end has issued outline specifications for fho guidance of local authorities. It will shortly issue pamphlets dealing with the 1 test, methods of maintenance and construction of highways under Mew Zealand conditions. It wishes heartily to co-operate with all reading authorities throughout the Dominion.

The remarks made at the annual meeting of the Auckland (bis Company hv th.f chairman, relative to the diflerential treatment of the company in respect of income tax from that accorded the Auckland Electric Bower Board, was the subject of some strong comment by “The Plies*.” Christchurch. The exemption ol tin; hoard irom taxa-

tion. and its freedom, to a very great extent, from the burden of customs duties, is characterised as “an intolerable state of affairs from every point of view. Tn the lirst- place.” the article continues, "it is grossly unfair that a- State Department (i.ft., a local authority') should bo able to compete with a private concern on such unequal terms. If a State department cannot carry ike burdens imp..sod on private onterpri.-e. it should go out ol business, since there is no more reason why the general public should make good ike losses on a State trading concern than on a private enterpnV. When taxation is not equitable it is vexatious, and must react injuriously to liie community in the long run. But to

exempt State com cm, from the burdens borne by plicate competitors, is injurious in another way. which from the point of view of the public, is (lie worst way: it encourages iuellicieney. We do not know whether there is any reason at this stage why the Auckland Electric Bower Board should not pay its way; but. there is certainly no reason why it should not pay its way in a year of two. and the surest way to keep its balance permanently on the wrong siilo is to conceal its losses and relieve it of the necessity of making them good." I low ever sound these ar-

guments may appear, it is diflirult to realise not onlv all Sta‘i\ but all municipal. trading concerns, being placed on the basis suggested.