The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1919. COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1919. COUNTY AFFAIRS.

At the conference of delegates Of the Counties Association, which opened at Wellington on Wednesday, the subject of county roads loomed large. Both the present Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. J. B. Hine) and his predecessor (Hon. Geo. Russell) devoted the main part of their respective addresses to the subjects -which chiefly exercise the attention of County Councils finance and maintenance of roads, though they confined themselves to general statements of a non-committal nature. The address of the president, Mr. A. E. Jull, of Waipawa, was in large measure retrospective in its reference to measures that had been brought before Parliament and not proceeded with, but he made some pertinent observations in connection with accident insurance that should bear fruit, It appears, from replies to a circular, that for the three years to March 31,1917, the amount of premiums paid by 48 counties amounted to £7058, while the claims only amounted to £2462, showing that approximately £4600 had been the profit made by the insurance companies. It is not. surprising, therefore, that the president suggested the advisability of considering the formation of an insurance department by the Counties' Association, together with a fidelity guarantee fund, it being considered possible that the Harbors Association might join in the venture. It is by undertakings of this kind that the County Councils might well benefit financially, and the suggestion indicates a Welcome awakening to the benefits of economical administration, the possibilities of which on a co-operative basis are such as should not, be neglected. Another suggestion by the president was in the direction of issu-j ing certificates of fitness for j county clerks by examination > as a means of promoting] efficiency. The first remit bear-j ing on the roading question favor- j ed the payment by the Govern-j ment of a subsidy of five shillings in the pound on all general rates up to the maximum as defined in the Act of 1908. This gave delegates an opportunity of reviewing the roading problem, and during the discussion it was urged by several that motor cars should be taxed, and the proceeds devoted to the upkeep of county roads. Incidentally the question of toll gates (described as relics of barbarism) was touched upon, and Mr. Connett referred to the Taranaki County's wheel tax by-law. One delegate asserted that it was impossible for local bodies to construct new roads out of general rates, and epntended that the Govermment should increase its subsidy to local bodies to enable them to put their finances on a sound basis. The claim is one that cannot justly be disputed. County Councils are virtually acting as deputies for the Government and thereby relieving the State of an enormous quantity of detail work, which, if transacted by a Government department would entail very heavy expenditure. Main roads

[of the Government, for they playa very prominent part in the progress of the Dominion. As a factor in national economy,. from a strict business point of view, the main roads should be laid down in the best, most suitable and most durable materials. Once this is done and modern conditions brought about by the fast motor traffic demand that it shall be done as speedily as possible—a large and costly amount of waste would be avoided, and it might be possible to reduce the Government subsidy so as to gradually extinguish the prime cost, but it is obviously the duty of the Government to bear the cost of the initial permanent construction, recouping itself by such imposts on motor and other vehicles as may be deemed reasonable. The fact has to be faced that the present system of subsidising county councils fails to provide those bodies with the necessary finance to carry out effectively the duties and obligations imposed on them by the Government, and if they are to continue to perforin their useful work of administration they must have adequate finance. If that is not provided the time may come when local bodies may throw up the sponge and saddle the Govern- [ ment with the work they are now performing' gratuitously. Another [phase of the problem was subsequently brought under review by a deputation from the Good Eoads Association, which advocated the creation of an executive body, to be designated the National Eoads Board, to investigate road conditions throughout the Dominion and to finance schemes, also to be provided with £500,000 a year by the Government for the permanent I improvement of roads'. To this, however, objection was raised on the ground that it would not satisfy the local bodies, who, it was claimed by Mr. G. V. Pearee, could look after the roads better than the Government. Eventually a committee which was set up to go into the matter, reported in favor of a uniform subsidy on all general rates. The public, and especially those using motor vehicles, consider that no time should be lost in the adoption of a satisfactory roading scheme that will meet modern needs. The first step is to secure something like unanimity on the question of the most satisfactory materials to ha used. When this has been settled. Parliament should vote the necessary financial aid. The Good Roads Association may be helpful in this work, and any assistance should be warmly welcomed by the Councils as well as bj the Government.