MAIN ROADS CONTROL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4340, 9 November 1921, Page 4

MAIN ROADS CONTROL.

VICTORIAN EXPERIENCE. Opponents of the new arteriall roads policy outlined by the Minister, of Public Wprks have as a ru|le maintained that the work of improving anil maintaining these roads ought tp eb left to local bodies. It is of some in-* terest in this connection that in Victoria, a State which has spent a great deal of money on .the improvement of I main rpads, the Government is now | considering a policy under which this work will be transferred. from lo.ca'l bodies to the undivided, control of a central reading authority—the Country Roads Board. The Victorian Minister of Public Works (Mr F. Clarke) stated recently that of the two millions of loan money spent on main, roads during the past eight years, at least half a 'million had been absolutely wasted, "because, while some shires lived right up to their responsibilities in keeping their main roads in .good order, other shires had afilowh ed their roads .to drift back and back until /they were down tp the original cobble stones.” In these circumstances, it is proposed to relieve loc.aJl bodies both of the expense of maintaining these roads and of doing the work of maintenance. Special legislation is to be introduced to declare the greater pf the main thoroughfares arterial . rpads. In all, about 1200 miles of arterial roads will be taken over by the Country Roads Board.. A .wheel tax and an increase in motor fees are tentatively suggested as, a means of raising the funds required. In broad , essentials this policy approximates closely to the proposals mpoted in this country, and it strengthens confidence in these proposals that a lead i bn similar lines is being given in Vic- i toria as the outcome of extended ex- i perience of a progressive reading policy. < 1