COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1928, Page 3

COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

\ . By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. WELLINGTON, July 17. Tire Counties’ Conference opened today, Air A. E. Jull presiding. In his opening address Mr Jull dealt extensively with the increased resources of the Main Highways Board, as a result of the petrol tax, and the policy being adopted. He also referred to the manner in which towns were recognising the advantages accruing to them froth road improvements and mentioned the help that had been extended to ’Counties by Wanganui, Nelson and Rotorua. He criticised the method of distribution of heavy traffic fees and suggested that the Conference should set up a committee to act with some of the executive in going in to the matter. H’e also suggested the setting u,p of a committee to consider wdint alterations might be advantageously made in the functions of District Highways Councils, that greater use might be got from them in highway administration.

ADDRESS BY HON. McLEOD

WELLINGTON, July 17

In an address to the Counties Conference, Hon. A. D. McLeod (Minister of Lands) said he knew legislation last year in regard to highways had noti given satisfaction, and it would not do so for some time. It was realised that the legislation had many weaknesses but a start had been made and the highways legislation was functioning in a manner satisfactory to the great bulk of the people. Perhaps the one thing doing the most to cause dissatisfaction in highways legislation, was that of riding accounts. The time would come when they would be done away with. Speaking with regard to the union of Counties, the Minister said this was a thing that could not be forced. Townplanning did not affect Counties to any great extent, but advantage should ho taken in view of the extension of population, of the services of the TownPlanning Director, in regard to roads likely to be affected.

Speaking as Minister of Lands he said the Dominions required a. great deal more sub-division of land, but more than a chain wide roads in all land, especially in lands worth £IOO per acre, was not in the host interests of the country, and County Councils could be trusted with the legislation giving discretionary power. The Minister expressed a hope that the Conference would prove fruitful. When the question of the amendment of the Counties’ Act so that no alteration of County boundaries bo made except at stipulated intervals, came up at the Counties’ Conference, Mr .Tull pointed out that the Government ted extended the powers of the Commission at present inquiring into grades of smaller urban areas and said to take action which might be anticipated. The report of the Commission was not advisable.