BACKBLOCKS ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1921, Page 6

BACKBLOCKS ROADS.

PUBLIC WORKS GRANTS. PROTEST AGAINST CANCELLATION. The cancellation by the Government of the unexpended balances of many grants for roads and bridges has drawn a number of protests from settlers in the back-blocks of the Whangamomona County, who have pointed opt to Mr. R. Masters, M.P., that the stoppage of the work is in many cases depriving them of the means of access which they have been awaiting for a number of years. Mr. Masters has, in a good number of instances, succeeded in having the. grants re-instated and the work carried on, but in view of the pressure on the Government to deviate men from the Whangamomona disriet to the Te RotiOpunake line lie has found it necessary to bring the claims of the back-block settlers again before the notice of the Minister of Public Works. He explained to a Daily News representative yesterday tliat the construction of roads to provide access to settlers’ properties in t"he back-blocks should be placed before the construction of railways, and he desired to protest strongly against the attempts which were being made to have men removed from those road works.

The following telegram was despatched to the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, by Mr. Masters yesterday morning:—‘T am daily receiving communications from settlers in backblocks districts strongly protesting against the cancellation of grants placed on public works estimates for the opening up of roads giving access to their sections. I appreciate the fact that your department has been sending unemployed to Whangamomona district and trust you will authorise more men to be so employed and thus relieve those who are laboring under very great difficulties common to back-blocks districts through the need of road tion, let alone railways, metalled or tar-sealed roads.”