HIGHWAYS FUND

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1929, Page 6

HIGHWAYS FUND

ANNUAL APPROPRIATION,

MOTORISTS PROTEST AGAINST SUSPENSION. WELLINGTON, July 26. A deputation representing the North and South Island Motor Unions placed before Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, their protest against the Government’s proposal to withold the annual appropriation of £200,000 for the Highways Fund. Tlieye were introduced by Mr E. A. Ansel]. Replying to the deputation the Prime Minister said that the 'rpattor was very important to motorists and to the Government as well. It was all veiy well to suggest that the £200,000, if taken off would mean nothing to t/ie Government. As a fact it meant a great deal. It would not be said thai the Government was not providing money for the making of roads. The fact was that it was supplying quite a lot of money. What they were asking might mean an extension of the limit of borrowing that the country was goingrin for at une present time. It could not he suggested that unemployment was a .complete Government responsibility. If tne Government had to provide work for everybody it would involve the provision of money far and away beyond any authority that the Government possessed.

Air Toogood (Wellington): We suggest that the Government should assist in finding employment. Sir Joseph Ward: Well, >ve are assisting as much as we reasonably can at the moment. There was a demand from the Government for money for everything 'but there must come a time when the Government had to say no. “We can’t meet the whole of demands that are made on us,’ lie said During the next few weeks he would have the whole matter of allocations before him for final decision and lie would give their representations the fullest consideration. He did not want to tell them that the £200,00 would be forthcoming, because he did not know whether it would. The money that was requited at the moment was far beyond the capacity of the Govern ment to provide. His difficulties were very considerable. H!e thought that they would get to the stage in -New Zealand by and by when they could not expect to do in a short space of time. It would take them a little longer to provide the money required for making roads, helping the Highways Boards and for other material things. There were those who said that the Government’s borrowing policy was unreasonable, but as a fact those* who criticised would ho surprised if they had the handling of the fnisiness of the country.