Mr. Churchill's reply to the deputation which he re- ceived
last week on the subject of the Road Fund was excellent in sense and form. He admitted that the provision for the roads must be large and must grow greater, but he could not accept the principle that any particular interest could justly press its case to extremes without any reference to the general interest. No Government, he said, would acknowledge that the yield of the Road Fund must be devoted exclusively for all time to the upkeep of-the roads. Mr. Churchill evidently contemplated the possibility of the Road Fund exceeding the dreams of avarice. In such an event it would, of course, be ridiculous to spend more money than was actually needed on roads in order to have the hollow satisfaction of honouring a principle. All the time other interests might be perishing for want of money. The House of Commons rightly, •has full control over all moneys in the interests of the nation as a whole. On the other hand, we gather from Mr. Churchill's remarks that there is going to be no foolish policy of starving the roads.
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