SOUTHERN MAIN ROADS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 234, 26 April 1928, Page 7

SOUTHERN MAIN ROADS.

- IN ROUGH CONDITION. Matamata Man’s Observations. Most of us have read many times of the complaints of the South Island folk in regard to main roads finance. They are vexed because North Islanders, more alive to their opportunities and more appreciative of the main highways legislation, are using up all the available subsidies.

The subject was mentioned to the writer by Mr. W. S. Wilson, a member of the Matamata County Council, who with Mrs. Wilson recently made a tour of the South Island. Mr. Wilson said the side roads in the South were wonderfully good, thanks to the metal supply, but most of the main roads were in a shocking condition. The farmers wanted good roads, but complained that their rates were heavy enough now. Upon inquiring, Mr. Wilson found that the total amounts (not the rate in the pound) paid by various farmers were only half or less than half of what was paid in the North for similar farms. He told some of them that they were lucky in regard to rates and that if they wanted good roads they should be prepared to pay for them.

The writer can fully confirm Mr. Wilson’s comments. In the South the farmers think the whole of the cost should come out of motor taxation, even though the farmers themselves make increasing use of motor lorries for transport of sheep and for general purposes. To hear some of them talk one would imagine that there were no roads required before the advent of the motor. Their idea is to let the South Island allocations from motor taxation pile up and be used as straight-out grants, but they will probably find that more reasonable people will be encouraged further in their gospel of self-help. Moreover, with accumulated funds there is always a danger of a “ raid ” by the Exchequer, as has happened in England and Australia. The South Islanders are rather liable to find themselves trapped by their own greed. They would be wiser to take what is now offering.