HIGHWAYS FUNDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3990, 29 August 1929, Page 2

HIGHWAYS FUNDS.

G 0 V ERN'MEINTS ENCROACH - MENT.

M]R. LINKLATER’S VIEWS. The contention that unemployment will be increased as a result of the Government’s seizure of highways funds was made in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night. “A good deal of uneasiness is being- felt by practically every county council concerned over the Government’s intention to withdraw the £200,000 transferred from the Public Works Fund to the construction fund of the Main Highways Board,” said Mr. J. Linklater, Reform member for Manawatu. “If this sum is withdrawn it will mean that many of the works that are at present under construction will be left in an unfinished condition. There is no doubt that it will cause unemployment in very many parts of New Zealand. In the Manawatu, highways works are being carried out on a fairly extensive scale. If this proposal is given effect to 140 men on one work will be out of work, arid fourteen on another will lose their employment. The transfer of this sum is specified by Act, toge their with the contribution of £35,000 from the consolidated Fund to the-revenue fund of the Main Highways Board, and these sums cannot be withdrawn without an amendment of the Act.

The Minister of Defence (Hon. T. M. Wilford): It has got to be put on the Estimates every year. The Leader of the Opposition: Wlhat has?

The Minister: The £35,000. The Leader of the Opposition Oh, no.

Mr. Linklater: Well it should lie on this yeajr. (Hear, hear). Mr. Linklater also spoke on behalf of the boroughs of a population of under 6000 which had put down their roads in permanent material, and were now receiving no assistance. For years they received a maintenance subsidy, but it was discontinued, and. they were not receiving anything even from the petrol tax. The existing state of affairs meant that progressive boroughs were being penalised. In fact, boroughs which had done no-

thing with the inroads were receiviny a £3 for £1 subsidy on construction, and something as well for maintenance. The borough of Levin had put down good roads in permanent material. For five years no maintenance had been required, and, according to a recent report, none would be for another five years. The Public Works Minister should go into the question with a view to providing a remedy.

Good roads were the backbone of a country, and, in Ah’. Linklater’s opinion, the great improvements made in New Zealand's highways would stand as a moumnent to the Leader of the Opposition who had been the originator of Ihe legislation now in operation.