ARTERIAL ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1921, Page 4

ARTERIAL ROADS.

The views recently expressed by the member for Egmont (Mr. O. J. Hawken), at Opunake, on the subject of the maintenance of main roads by the Government, are deserving of notice. Mr. Hawken admitted that he was not “thoroughly familiar with the whole scheme,” yet he was strongly inclined to oppose it. This attitude may be taken 'to mean that he disagrees with the principle of arterial roads being under the control of the Government, and it is significant that his main reason for this view is that if the Government started arterial roads “it would be likely to introduce into county work an element of the town pull.” Evidently Mr. Hawken does 'riot believe that the Government is strong enough to resist urban pressure. The present Government is more of a country than a town Government, and is not likely to agree to anything that in any way militates against the interests of the producers. At the' same time, if the Government taxes the townspeople through the Customs, etc., in order to subsidise the maintenance of the roads, and carries out its proposal to impose a motor tax, then townspeople’s interests are also entitled to be considered. No Government., is likely to be a party to anything that would injure the country, and there is really no justification for the fear that the town would exert a “pull” detrimental to the country, mainly because it is to the advantage of both to have good and up-to-date communications. Mr. Hawken advanced the belief that the main road idea would never suit Taranaki, as there were diverse ideas as to which should be the main roads.” To this the obvious reply is that if this diversity of view exists it can easily be overcome by appointing an independent central authority to settle the question once and for

all. Although Mr. Hawken recognises that experienced advice is always appreciated, he does not appear to realise that besides the Government having this expert advice ,at its command, it would also Have the requisite modern machinery and equipment for dealing with roadmaking and maintenance on a large and economical scale. It is not a question of rating so much as of principle, especially in regard to the necessity of having all the main arterial roads as perfect as possible, and not skimped for lack of funds and material. There will remain plenty of scope for the administrative ability of county councillors, but there is a large body of opinion in favor of the Public Works Department undertaking the control of the arterial roads and bridges. The war showed what could be done in road making and road maintenance when organised properly, with an efficient technical staff ■of engineers, modern plant, and 'the requisite funds. What can be done under the stress of war should easily be done in times of peace. It is safe to say that inefficient engineering, obsolete methods, and lack of modern plants have cost the country millions of pounds in road upkeep, and the perpetuation of wretched roads, and this waste could be largely stopped, if the Government were ip real earnest about the control of the main roads.