MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 5

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

THE BILL INTRODUCED. ■'fit CONTROL OF ROADWAYS. DUTIES OF SPECIAL BOARD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Highways Bill was introduced in the House to-night by Governor-General's Message. The Minister of Public Works explained that the Bill set up a board, of which two members would be appointed by the Government, one by county councils, and one by motor organisations. The board would allocate the tyre tax as between the North and South Islands. The Highways Board must report within one year on (1) primary roads; (2) secondary roads and the allocation of certain moneys on certain roads.

For instance, the amount voted by the Public Works Department during recent years was £200,000 per annum for expenditure on road construction, and the board would have a voice in the disposition of this. The tyre tax may be used also for construction, and local bodies in certain cases may be asked to contribute up to one-third of the cost of maintenance. The Minister said that in certain cases where a road was declared a Government road the local bodies would not be asked to contribute to its maintenance. No interference was intended at present with local authorities’ registrations. A new tax would be imposed next year which would be used for maintenance. Briefly, the tyre tax would be the capital fund for construction, and the other tax would provide for maintenance. The Bill was read a first time.