MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1921, Page 5

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

ROUTE THROUGH TARANAKI. ADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSAL. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Highway principles were discussed by a deputation which waited upon the Prime Minister, the’ Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. \V. Downie Stewart) to-day. The deputation represented districts from Taihape to Te Kuiti. It was urged that the North Island main arterial road should go through the centre of the Island rather than by way of the coast through Taranaki. Ic was stated that this centre route would open up isolated country which was in need of main road connections, and that the Taranaki route would be forty miles longer.

Mr. Coates said the llighways Bill laid down definite principals, which would be placed before the House. The deviation by the coast did not lengthen the route by forty miles, and it was certainly a much cheaper route. There was a well-formed road from Wellington to V\ aitara, and the only difficult portion was the connecting link between Mount Messenger and Awakino. Thousands of pounds had been spent on a central road. The Government realised the necessity of giving access to Te Kuiti from Taumarunui, and already £14,000 had been spent on this section, while it was proposed to ask for further money when the financial position • was favorable. It was ridiculous to say there •.would be only one national-, hignway between the north and south; later on other roads would become national highways of equal importance. The main consideration of the scheme was its practical accomplishment. He had outlined a scheme that was practical, and it was for Parliament to say whether is was approved.