THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 1910 ROAD RESPONSIBILITY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 226, 19 January 1910, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 1910 ROAD RESPONSIBILITY.

RECENT developments point plainly to the fact that it is the intention of the Government henceforth to place a greatly increased responsibility in the patter of roads on the various local tbodies. That portion of the PirongiaKawhia road which lien wittiin the County has already been handed over to the Waitomo County Council, and the proposals of the Department in connection with the Te Kuiti-Awakino road are further evidence of the Government's intention. Th 6 main road proposals have already been dealt with in these columns, and the matter is at present under consideration. With reference to the whole question as it affects King Country local bodies there is much to be said. Throughout the district the existence of large areas of Native land from which no rates are derivable acts as a bar to progress in the shape of roads. Even in closely settled localities where every section is rateable, the task of making decent roads has been found difficult and progress has been slow until settlers have made sufficient headway to rate themselves heavily. It will, therefore, be readily recognised what a tremendous responsibility King Country settlers are being called upon to undertake, and the prospect of good road 3 in the near future is very faint. It will also be recognised that our propsect of roads is inextricably bound up in the Native land problem, and there is not the remotest chance of progress until the Native-owned lands are made available for rating. According to Statute, when a special loan is desired it has to be shown that the area of land proposed to be included in the special rating area does not include Native land in greater proportion than one-third of the whole area, and in the case of the Te Kuiti-Awakino road it is well known that the proportion of land directly affected greatly exceeds this amount. Even if this feature did not exist it would be preposterous to imagine that the settlers shoudl be called upon to metal roads for other people, whether European or Maori. Undoubtedly, the right note was struck at the last meeting of the County Council when it was decided to create widespread agitation with the object of making Nativeowned lands subject to rates. There is, doubtless, something to be said on the Natives' side, but the Government is forcing the position on the people. f The cost of roading must be borne by the lands affected, and borne by the whole of those lands, not by the portion in o.cpgpiition by Europeans. The roading of any nevy district is a great undertaking, and can only be accomplished by enterprise and self denial on the part of those affected. It is entirely impossible of accomplishment unless every acre which is benefited by the roading pays its due proportion to the object. However justifiable the policy of the Government may be in placing the extra roading responsibilities on the people, the action can only be justified by spreading the burden equitably over the lands affected. This is fully realised by the Native Minister, whose promise to make Native lands rateable remains yet unfulfilled. Mr Carroll will doubtless be able to give reasons for his failure to carry out his contract, but excuses arc futile in the face of the urgent necessities of the case. The fact remains that the settlers must have roads, and | upon them, and them only, the burden yfill fal| jjntil an alteration is made in the Jjatipg Apt. The action of the County Council is >yei| timpd, and it is to be hoped will meet wit}) the support it deserves.