THE EARTHQUAKE AREA

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1930, Page 2

THE EARTHQUAKE AREA

FINANCE FOR ROADS. QUESTION OF GOV ER NMENNT HELP. WELLINGTON, August 28. The discussion of an Imprest Bill in the House to-night gave Mr Ansell (Chalmers) an opportunity of reviving his former request that the Governmen should assist the South Island highways fund in meeting the extraordinary expense of repairing eaithquake damage to roads in the northern part of that island. Mr Ansell remarked that the Prime Minister had made a statement in the House that he had made no promise, but the rea promise was made by the late Sir Joseph Ward, when Prime Minister, that the Consolidated Fund would bear portion of the cost and that the South island road fund would not be called on to bear the whole burden. The matter, added Mr Ansell, w r as a serious one for South Island counties, as they would lose at least a quarter of a million expenditure from their roads if the promise was not honoured. He therefore asked Mr Ransom, Act-ing-Prime Minister, to state the position. The Hon. E. A. Ransom replied that some explanation was due to the questioner regarding the repair of road damage in the earthquake area, Last session Mr Ansell told him he intended to ask in the House that the Government should contribute something from the Consolidated I und, so that the cost of repairs would not be a complete charge on the highways fund of the South Island. The speaker approached Sir Joseph Ward, who told him the matter was under consideration and he intended to make provision for a subsidy. Mr Ansell was informed of this and withdrew his question in consequence. Members would remember that soon afterwards Sir Joseph Ward became ill and nothing was done that session in regard to a contribution towards the cost of repairing the Duller Gorge road. Since then matters financial had changed in an alarming degree but he would ask Mr Anseli to renew his application to the Government, and it would be considered whether it was possible to niak< grant to the Highways Board in connection with this expenditure. “An assurance was given by me that the subsidy would be paid” added Air Ransom, “and that was on the assurance of the then Prime Minister that the matter would be considered.” He undestood that the Public Works Department ’ held the ■ view that the promise was fulfilled by the £35,000 contribution fgronl the Consolidated Fund and the usual loan transfer from the Public Works Fund to the Highways fund, but he (Mr Ransom) was not in agreement with that contention, and considered that the correct answer was that the finances of the country did not permit of the intention of the late Prime Minister being compiled with. However, he would ask Mr An* sell to put in his application again,

The member for Chalmers commented that this' reply was .satisfactory in every respect, nnd he was quite certain the Alhiister would stand fairly to his promise,