MAIN ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1922, Page 8

MAIN ROADS.

THE COMING CONFERENCE. Wellington, March 30. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of •Public Works, is inviting representatives of the Counties’ Association, the municipalities, the Motor Associations, and Good Roads Association's, to confer with him and his officer in Wellington some time in May, on the subject of highways legislation. The Minister informed your correspondent that he wishes to have a frank discussion of all phases of the problem of good roads, and he will place before the conference every particle of information in the possession of the Public Works Department. “It must be realised,” he remarked, “that this problem can only be solved by legislation, and I wish to have a suitable measure ready for consideration by Cabinet before next session. A fund is accumulating from the tyre tax, and until we secure legislation there is no authority to spend this money. As it will not be sufficient for a complete scheme of road improvement and maintenance, other sources of revenue, such as license fees, must also be authorised. The conference will be asked to discuss main roads, market roads, and tertiary roads —they are all important to the development of the country. The allocation of the fund, the method of expenditure. are matters which must be discussed, so that a good understanding can be secured between the Government and local authorities. The conference is to be held fairly close to the session, so that the whole matter will be . fresh in the minds of all concerned when the time arrives for legislation if Cabinet aproves of dealing with' it next session.” The Minister was reminded of an important report on toll gates, which officers of his Department submitted to the House last session. In this, suggestions were made for financial adjustments to obviate the establishment of more toll gates in New Zealand. Mr. Coates replied that this report could be considered by the conference, as "Tie desired every 'aspect of a very big question to be thoroughly considered.