SOLVING THE MAIN ROADS PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1920, Page 4

SOLVING THE MAIN ROADS PROBLEM.

The announcement made by the Minister of Public Works, in his statement on Friday, that legislation will be introduced this session making provision for the Government taking over the control and maintenance of main road« in accordance with the standard demanded by modern transport requirements, should be welcomed by all public bodies concerned with the care of the arterial thoroughfares of the Dominion. The principle involved in this decision is one that has been advocated for 6ome time past, although its adoption has not been universally acclaimed. Comment on the proposal must necessarily await the disclosure of the provisions contained in the measure, especially as to the finance proposals, but assuming the latter to be satisfactory, there can be no question as. to the soundness of the general principle. The Minister hopes to employ the most up-to-date methods both in construction and maintenance. Manifestly the process of construction will take a considerable time, but as the work is to be undertaken on a large scale, under a definite programme controlled by a well-organised staff, the result should be entirely satisfactory, and should relieve local bodies from a burden which has become intolerable to those who foiled 'to grapple with the problem until it became too acute for their resources to meet, as well as to those who were quite unable to provide a remedy. The Bill will be awa'ited with great interest.