HIGHWAY FUNDS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1929, Page 2

HIGHWAY FUNDS

THE PRIME MINISTER’S

STRAIGHT TALK. MOTORISTS REASSURED

n WELLINGTON, September 19. That the Main Highways Board will get its £2OO,UX) loan from the Government, and also the usual £35,000 transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the board’s revenue account this year, was made clear to a deputation of Motor Union representatives which disclosed the subject with the Prime Minister to-day. Sir Joseph Ward n\ade some pointed protests against the way in whioh he said the Government policy had been misrepresented. Mr J,. Richie (Otago) expressed concern oyer the Government’s reported policy, as if any money were withheld from the Highways. Board the work of the counties would be impeded. What the counties needed was even greater assistance than they were receiving at present. They looked to the Government to leave the funds of the Highways Board alone.

Mr H. O. Harley (of the South Island Motor Union) protested, very strongly against the proposed action of the part of the Government, contending that there was both a legal and a moral obligation on the Government to continue tne past payment. Motorists were already making a very heavy contribution to me country*, finances, and it was the duty of the Government to provide the necessarymoney for the maintenance of good roads. Ine Government’s proposals were a decided breach of faith.

Mr I. C. Cross (Dunedin) said tiiachambers of commerce were supporting the claims of the deputation on fche. ground tjiat good roads were essen-tial-fop' tbe : transport system , of the country. ' ,

.Mr E. A. .Batt ,(W r elingtbn Automobile’ Club): said' they ‘ appreciated the .'financial difficulties of the; country, but they felt that the Government’s proposals if put into effect you Id create a serious position amongst a large section . of. the' community. They looked upon the tax on, motorits' as a. class tax. I v . .. v i/" 1 ' v ' V ; •'

Mr J. R. Haig (Southland) refuted the suggestion that there was anything 'Political'in-their movement, but they felt that the Government had • been guilty' of ’ a breach of faith. Mr Haigh dwelt on the effect the proposals were likely to have upon the farmers, -whose rates would go up it, the Government grant were withdrawn from the Highways- Board. Mr I>. It. Hoggard (representing Wellington local bodies) urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the position, and referred to the serious effect any alteration was likely to have on the counties. Mr 11. C. Jones (North Island Motoi Union) supporting the ffaims of the deputation. They had come to have a wrong righted and they trusted thb Prime Minister would meet them.

MISLEADING STATEMENTS. Sir Joseph Ward opened his reply with a complaint against tne manner in which unreliable, misleading' statements were being made regarding the Governments highway finance. He had heard .some of these statements repeated at -that deputation, and he was. bound as - a public man to assume that somebody was “engineering” - the statements with a view to weakening the Government in different parts of the country. That was the only view that anybody in his position could take. Since the Government took over it had taken, great pains in going into problems affecting motoring interests, and for months past it had been engaged on the preparation of legislation with the cooperation of interested parties. That legislation had not yet seen the light of day, but in spite of that the members of the deputation had spoken as if the whole matter were settled.

“Let me tell you that you are parking up the wrong tree,” said Sir Joseph. “I >m just as concerned for the welfare of motor, associations, tne municipalities and county councils as any man in New Zealand, yet before we have been able to say what we are going to do, you come here and base your arguments on incorrect information.”

A DUNJjDIN ALLEGATION. “In Dunedin,” continued Sir Joseph, “the other evening, the Mayor of that city referred to the matter as the £200,000 steal. What does Mr Anseli think of that statements ?” Mr Anseli: If I had been there I would probably have endorsed it. The Prime Minister: Then you would have endorsed what was not true. If it is any satisfaction to you to say you would publicly endorse a statement that was untrue then you are welcome to it.

Mr Anseli: lam basing what I say on your statement in the house. “I have not yet submitted proposals to Parliament, and apparently you have moved a little too soon,” replied the Prime Minister, who declared that none of those present would like to have a statement made of a “£200,000 steal” when it was not true. There aad been no suggestion or hint of taking any portion of the £200,000 from the motorists’ associations.