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The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1920. THE ROADING PROBLEM.

The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, has intimated that he has a new scheme under consideration to solve the problem of the main roads. The great difficulty with which he is faced is the question of material, as he rightly considers the methods of the past are out of date, and that it is not wise to use a man where machinery could be used. It has taken many years on the part of the Press of the Dominion to hammer this fact into the responsible authorities, and the advent of the new departure will be heartily welcomed. The Minister has not yet divulged the details of his roading scheme, but the assertion that it exists is matter for gratification. Why New Zealand has lagged behind other countries as to roading policy is inexplicable, for the need has been one of great, urgency since the early days of settlement. That the problem can be solved on sound lines by a statesmanlike policy is beyond doubt; that it should be solved promptly and successfully must be admitted to be imperative. A striking instance of the urgent need for an effective policy with regard to arterial roads was furnished by the chairman of the Taranaki County Council (Mr J. Connett) at the special meeting ou Tuesday, when the deplorable state of the Council's financial position was laid bare. Not only has the County debit balance increased from £4185 in 1918 to £7446 at March 31st, 1920, but the bank overdraft has risen to £11,534. Well might the chairman describe the position as serious, especially in view of the fact that very little rate revenue can be expected for six months. Even the imposition of an extra halfpenny on the rates last year proved totally inadequate to meet the

position, and the chairman intimated that, owing to the failure of the Council's efforts to collect revenue under the by-laws, it would be necessary to again increase the general rate for the ensuing year. It is only right to mention that the growth of the overdraft has been mainly due to the purchase of labor-saving equipment and other extraordinary expenditure necessary for carrying on the work for which the Council is responsible, so that it may be regarded as a good investment, while increases in wages represent about £IOOO a year. The point is that the expense of maintaining the arterial roads for us-3 by modern traffic has grown beyond all ordinary local efforts to cope with except by means that are generally condemned. Apparently the Minister recognises this and is desirous of providing a remedy. At present motorists do not contribute sufficiently to

the upkeep of the roads, while they are largely responsible for making any but t'ar-sealed or concrete surfaces break tip rapidly. Motors have so largely taken the place of horse drawn vehicles that they have brought about a new condition of affairs, especially in the need for good roads, for which,doubtless, motorists are prepared to pay under an equitable scheme. In England motor vehicles pay from two to forty guineas a year in addition to license fees, but it is hardly to be expected such a heavy burden as the maximum could be shouldered in the Dominion, where the earning power would be much less. In California, the construction of arterial roads is jointly undertaken by the local bodies and the State, motorists paying a substantial tax to the State, and the revenue being divdied between the local bodies for the upkeep of the roads. This is a simple and effective plan, as presumably the ratepayers have to provide the interest and sinking fund on the money raised by the local bodies as their moiety of constructing the roads. It would seem that unless the Government undertakes the whole business of construction and maintenance of arterial roads, then some such scheme as that in force in California might well be tried. It is a waste of good money to merely tinker our main roads. What h wanted is a bold policy, and though the capital expenditure would be considerable, it would pay well to place the arterial roads of the Dominion on a sound basis, and the local bodies would find that relief for which they have anxiously been waiting. The details of the Minister's proposals will be anticipated with much interest.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19200529.2.21

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1920, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
735

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1920. THE ROADING PROBLEM. Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1920. THE ROADING PROBLEM. Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1920, Page 4

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