PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1927, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, July 1. Air Seddon (Westland) asked m the House of the .Minister of Public AVorks and without notice, whether owing to mills closing at Ross;, l’uatapu and Alananui he will cause relief work in the way of widening the Alain South road and Ruatapu road to be started. Reference was made to the necessity of the work for married men in the places mentioned. the Alinister replied that he would at once confer with his officers to see if work can he carried out as suggested.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON. July 1. The Legislative Council met at 2.33 p.m. Hon G. Al. Thomson gave notice of his intention to introduce the Captive Birds Shooting Prohibition Bill. The debate on the Address-in-Replv was resumed by Hon Garland and Sir R. Stout. The Council rose at 4.15 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. THE HOUSE The House met at 2.30 p.m. The debate on the Address-in-Roply was continued "by Alessrs Burnett, Veitell, Hon AieLood. Alessrs Lysnar and Alason (Fklen). These speakers carried on the discussion till 11.10 p.m. when the debate was adjourned on the motion of Afr Rhodes (Thames) till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

AIAIX ROAD FINANCE. SOUTH ISLAND NEEDS. WELLINGTON, June 30. Fears were expressed by Air Forbes, leader of the National Party, in the House to-night that Highway Board funds are being diverted from their proper purpose, the construction and upkeep of main loads. There should be no diversion to hack-block roads, because the country’s main roads were not yet up to the standard of safety which ivas needed, and it would take many years before the highways fund could overtake this work. If there was any diversion, the whole scheme would fall to the ground. These funds were taxes for the special purpose of improving main roads, and there had been complaint tbat the funds had been disturbed by diversions from maintenance to construction fund. Alotorists were very uneasy, fearing that the Government had too much control and might further divert funds and they desired to see such arrangements that there would he no chance of this occurring. South I.stand motorists demanded control of South Island roads by a South Island hoard, because the position was quite different from

that in the North Island. The Prime

Alinister had asked critics to give the present system a trial. This had been done for several years, but dissatisfaction continued.