King Country Chronicle Wednesday, May 7th, 1913. A ROADING POLICY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 565, 7 May 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, May 7th, 1913. A ROADING POLICY.

The experiences of the Jfrime Minister during the course of his tour through this district should prove invaluable to the Government in framing a policy with respect to the roading of backblock districts. There can bo no question as to the necessity of a definite policy for roading the King Country. This fact would be amply evidenced to Mr Masscy during his drive from Ohura to Te Kuiti Mile after mile of what is merely formed track, totally devoid of metal, served to cary the traffic of large districts in which the majority of the holdings are well improved. Dairying is being carried on in many of these districts under difficulties which prohibit the farmer from obtaining more than half the return from his labour as compared with the possinle returns if good roads were provided. In many instances the settlers are undertaking fairly heavy burdens in the shape of special metalling loans, and there is no doubt the enterprise displayed in this respect will bring its legitimate reward. An important feature in connection with the loans is that the amounts raised by the 3ettlers were subsidised £ for £ by the Govern ment, and without this assistance the burden on the settlers would be inordinately heavy. A striking feature of the Ministerial tour was the manner in which the subsidy system was emphasised by the settlers. The chairman of the Ohura County Coun cil made a special plea for subsidies in connection with loans raised for metalling purposes, and the fact that Mr Massey affirmed the principle of such grants carries with it a significance which cannot fail to be

TfiMrgtiteM (■<;/ \<>fiti\ bodies. It IB **MM fast ttt* *y«t«m of loading JwntSn" for" MftWirig, ft* h»H b«en the case in fihv» jvj«r, h'«* aatiafactory in ftttter" d'iwt'rieiH hflfc *h<: existence of

Iwga t:f;),!»(':; <y? »r«/v:canied native hmdn runl th<V ptftvV'rtwork nature of thrt ntH'tromcril: wMrtri hftfl taken place

rV>«rtt>i*» i;m> ajftitem entirely Jn:\rtoti»Rtei li'V moftt thfc needs of the Kiii£' CotirYtr'yv 'Chat this is recognised' by f;V>* l<vs*J hodieß interested is flviddsrit rVcW tb*. fact that com-

c»r*h<»ft!«)\'s jw/iWifrif-ndations in roftpAGfc ti'» carting v/«rr; passed by the confftr«!r,':A f.f hw.kblock local bodies held at. Onura in January. A highly important point in connection with th« association's recommendations is th« proposal that the local bodies should be end )wed with greater powera in respect to raising loans for roading. The present procedure in connection with the raising of loanß throws the initiative entirely on the Bfttlerß concerned, and the system must be commended as representing the tru<! spirit of democracy. However, it ifi frequently the case that differences among the settlers in respect to detail" result, in delaying, or the blocking of necessary work, and thus operate;-, detrimentally to the interests of the district. These differences are hound to become accentuated in the more recently settled districts comprising lands held under Crown and native tenure, where roads aro urgently required, and the granting of power to local bodies to take the initiative would expedite progreßß in every respect. There can be no argument as to the necessity for roads, while the necessity for metalling the reads when formed is equally urgent. It is therefore entirely againßt the interests of the district, and of the Dominion that the providing of the first essential to successful settlement should be retarded. It is to be hoped j the delegates appointed by the association to approach the Government con- | cerning the recommendations will spare no effort to impress the Ministers with the importance of their mission, and with the soundness of the 1 recommendations. The crying need of the backblocks is roads, and it ib the duty of the Govornmont to provide the settlers with the most effective and practical means of supplying that need.