FLOOD PROTECTION

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3944, 18 May 1929, Page 2

FLOOD PROTECTION

BETTERMENT PRINCIPLE. MINISTER’S HINT TO MANAWATU. Blenheim, Thursday. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, spent yesterday morning in and around Blenheim. He later left for Nelson. He received a number of deputations. Replying to the civic welcome, the Minister said, in connection with the (rijvev protection s'clielme, that it was a pity that when some of these schemes were started some betterment system was not introduced, so that the land owners substantially benefiting by a protective or drainage scheme could be compelled to contribute for the benefit of those worse off. He could assure them that in any new schemes, such as that proposed in the Manawatu, the principle of betterment would be put into operation before any assistance would be forthcoming from the Government. Air. Ransom also touched on reading problems. He gave the Reform Administration full credit for the great improvefmeuts in the roads in recent years, but said that in travelling round he realised that there was still a great deal to be done for the country roads and back roads, and that would have to be tackled. He had been threatened that if he interfered with the petrol tax there would be a howl from the motor organisations, but he did not care much if there was. It was obvious that there were many back blocks payers of petrol tax who had not howled loud enough in. the past. They required just as much consideration as those motorists who had the privilege of motoring over the nice bitumen roads.