FIRST THINGS FIRST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 12

FIRST THINGS FIRST

As with an army, so with the trade and industry of a country, lines of communication must be kept open, maintained and extended to meet the needs of traffic. Frequent floods have proved that in many parts of the country the roads serving the great industry of farming, and even arterial highways and railways, do not meet minimum requirements. Recent floods in the North have caused serious interruptions to the flow of traffic, which have meant inconvenience and loss. The experience emphasises once again the need for framing a Public Works policy which places first things first. Mr. Semple has talked of drawing up a schedule of backblock access road works in order of their importance. But he should enlarge the scale of his plan and endeavour not pnly to rid the system of its pernicious political influences but also to eliminate undertakings which are untimely luxuries. In view of the urgency of highway improvements to obviate the flood difficulties, such an unproductive extravagance as the motor road to Milford Sound, involving the driving of the Homer tunnel, is the height, of absurdity. This work, started as an ordinary Public Works job, was later, upon the recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, made a charge upon the Highways Fund, much to the chagrin of the South Island Motor Union. The original estimate of the road and tunnel was in the vicinity of £250,000, but so far the tunnel, which was to have cost £70,000, has hardly been begun, about 500 ft. out of 3960 ft. having been driven. Operations ceased at the beginning of last month for the "avalanche season,"

and it is to be hoped they will not be resumed. For tourists who do not appreciate the famous walk, air transport could be made available. The money earmarked for the road and tunnel will have a hundred timds more usefulness if directed to the improvement of commercial roads that suffer flooding.