The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1930. THE ROADING SYSTEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1930. THE ROADING SYSTEM.

When the main highways policy was developed, the ‘North Island local bodies went lull steam ahead and made the most of the oppoitun'ty to secure l lie subsidies offering. In order to do so, large sums had to be raised by loans and special rating, and in several instances now, the local bodies arc feeling the pinch to provide the annual sums required for the large works performed. In one instance, the Tauranga District, the following resolution was passed: “That the Government be urged to increase the petrol

tax to such, a figure as will enable it

to completely finance all future 'maintenance and construction costs oil all primary main highways in a permanent manner.” The motion, if given effect to, is intended to catch the users oi the roads. It lias to be borne in mind that the highways system is concerned only with arterial routes. There are a few secondary roads in each district, but the mileage is negligible to that remaining as district or back-block roads. These latter do not (receive any direct benefit from the petrol and tyre taxes at present, and it is mainly on account of these roads, that the chief protest is being made. Owing to commitments to secure high standard roads by the expenditure of loan money, quite a number of local bodies are finding the commitments a burden now. There is also the fact that in most districts the standard of roads generally have gone up, and the higher standard of the highways has called for a greater expenditure on the district roads to improve theiir surface. The improved roads in turn .have induced faster and attracted heavier traffic, and these two factors are also' adding to the annual cost of maintenance over and above cue payment of intere r t on costly constructed roods. The plight of the local bodies who leapt before they looked can therefore be well understood. On top of all this there is the fact .that the Highways Board has a precarious feeling about its own income. It is not clear how long the volume will he maintained. There are suggestions it may fall, and there is the report that tiie Minister of Public Works has designs on part of the petrol revenue to lie used directly for hack block roads. If the Highway Board’s' income falls materially a.s it not unlikely from foreshadowed inroads, then in the firs: instances the rate of subsidy Tor secondary and primary highways wiil be affected. The late Government toox much credit to itself for advancing the subsidy first from £1 for £l, to £1 10s for £l, and finally £2 fojv£l, at which ratio the' highways’ subsidy • now stands. A drop in, income may cause a revision of the proportion of subsidies, and that prospect is naturally disquieting. Were the "income. to fall definitely, it would not be unlikely to find the rate of the petrol tax increased, or it is requisite in the public interest that the improved standard of the .roads should be' maintained if at ad possible. If the.circumstances fall out otherwise) the local bodies which have borrowed freely will' find the pinch, and it is not difficult to understand why they are appreciating possibilities and asking for the princiole ■to be established that the users should pay for the upkeep of., the roads through the petrol tax. New Zealand has taken a good deal of credit to itself for the success of the reading system. So far matters have gone swimmingly, hut there, is a cloud on the horizon, and in these difficult times it is perhaps not surprising to find some alarmed at,,the prospects. However, it- must be realised, that the motor vehicle is an increasing number and more and more petrol must be used. Actually the revenue should be increasing at the present rate, and while that is so the alarm seems to anticipate trouble as yet some way off. But the general attitude of some of me public bodies give an inkling of the possibilities, and the prospects are a warning to prepare to meet likely conditions well in advance.