COUNTIES' CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1928, Page 3

COUNTIES' CONFERENCE

By-Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright.

WELLINGTON, July 17

A flock of remits concerning the Alain Highways Act was presented to the Counties Conference to-day. It was decided to urge an extension of the principle that the cost of constructing road surfaces be paid:'three fourths by the Alain Highways Board, and one fourth by the local body, as was the practice round the large centres, to other centres. The nationalisation of highways was discussed at length, and the position of ' secondary •. and by-roads. There seemed little desire to hand over the control of roads, and several speakers suggested increasing the petrol tax. Among tiie remits carried by the Conference was one urging the desirability of-all local authorities, either jointly or severally, establishing a superannaution fund, and the matter was reported to the executive to. consider a suitable scheme.

King (Tauranga) moved tlia-t the Government take over the Arain Highways and utilise their connection 'therewith whatever the proportion of petrol tax is raised in each district, thus enabling the Council to expend all its revenue on by-roads and abolish 'secondary highways.—Lost. Other remits dealing with motor regulations- in certain particulars were also dealt with, including a remit carried that County Councils should bo relieved of the necessity of signposting roads, as this work was being adequately attended to by the Alotoi Associations.