The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1921. ROADING POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1921. ROADING POLICY.

The conference of delegates of Taranaki local bodies, held at Eltham last week, to discuss the Main Roads Bill, to be introduced by the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) in the forthcoming session of Parliament, was under the serious disability of discussing the provisions of a measure of which only some of the general principles had been made public. Obviously those who took part in the discussion had to resort to a mere expression of opinion as to the nature of the policy they considered should he adopted in connection with main roads generally, but it is evident, there was some confusion between main roads and arterial roads, so that the discussion was of little practical use. Attention fo the desirability of the control of all roads being retained by the local bodies and not superseded by the Government was the chief object of the meeting, the chairman of the Dominion Counties’ Conference (Mr. Jull) leading the way on this subject by stating that the main object of the Bill “was an assertion of the failure of the local bodies, the probability of the success of Government control of the roads,” and he contended that the local bodies had not had. a fair trial. The Minister’s statement of the objects of the measure certainly contained no remarks that could justify Mr. .Tull’s assertion. It merely expressed the intention of the Government to undertake the construction and upkeep of certain j arterial"’ roads and the manner in which this work would be financed, and intimated that no alteration was proposed in the general system of finance for local bodies. With regard to the arterial roads, it would be foolish to expect that they could be provided except by . Governmerrt- undertaking the work as a national obligation. To expect the various local bodies through whose territories these roads would pass to agree to do the work is beyond all reason. Mr. Ftorsyth alluded to the mill joads/presumbly arter-

ial) as a benefit to all, and, although some of the counties might be hit, to others it would be beneficial. That practically is the pivot on which the measure hinges, and is ample justification for the action the Government proposes to take. There was considerable talk about the inadequacy of the present subsidy to local bodies and the need for a more adequate and equitable system to enable local bodies to make both ends meet. We do not for a moment dispute this contention, but it has no bearing on the question of arterial roads, while the financial stringency that is hampering development must necessarily, minimise the chances of any increase in the subsidy a,t present. Probably the key-note of the meeting is to be found in the frank remark made by one speaker to the effect that ..hey could not help looking at the matter “in a parochial spirit.” This tendency is all too prevalent, and cannot be too greatly deprecated. When, however, the speaker added that the main force behind the Government in preparing the Bill was coming from the cities, he could not have been more mistaken, for it is the cities and boroughs that will be hardest hit when the measures becomes law, and the extra taxation to finance is raised. Arterial roads are particularly a matter of national concern, and not parochial. The nature of the meeting is indicated by the resolution that was passed disapproving of any alteration in the control of roads throughout New Zealand. “In view of the statement made by the Minister the majority of the main roads would be through miles of country where only joy-riders passed over them.” Such is the outward evidence of the concentrated wisdom of Taranaki local bodies, for whom Mr. 0. Hawkea, M.P., put in a plea “for another chance.” Apparently Mr. Hawken does not sufficiently realise the function of main roads when he insists they should not run alongside the railways. It is only by that means the railways, can be properly fed, it being the function of subsidiary and branch roads to connect the back country with the main roads that tap the railway sooner or later. There appears to be ample scope for an educational campaign relative to reading policy, and there can be no question that arterial roads, which must be the starting point of that policy, should be administered, by the Government. The reading problem generally is one that depends greatly on the adoption of wise and economic administration as well as on adequate finance. It is a problem that, should not be confused with the question of arterial roads, though it needs an early and satisfactory solution.