TRANSPORT POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 70, 4 January 1936, Page 3

TRANSPORT POLICY

ROADING AND THE PETROL TAX. ACCESS TO BACKBLOCKS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 3. Various aspects of the transport problem in New Zealand were discussed to-night by the Minister for Transport (the Hon. It. Semple), who is on a short visit to Auckland. Mr Semple emphasised the need for more co-ordination of various forms of transport, the adoption of a system of placing the main arterial roads under the control of the Main Highways Board, and the provision of better access roads for backblocks settlers. “The problems of transport in New Zealand are most complex,” said Mr ISemple, “and an early attempt must be made to improve the present position. Very shortly I intend to call a conference of all interested parties representing transport by land, air, and sea, representatives of transport authorities, and officers of my own department. The purpose will be to discuss the whole problem on a national basis. What is needed is close co-operation and co-ordination, the cutting out of needless overlappnng and cut-throat competition, and the provision of the speediest, safest, and most economical services for the people. There are many conflicting interests, and the problem bristles with difficulties, but it must be tackled immediately. lam convinced that transport generally can be organised and co-ordinated under a far better system than, that which obtains at piesent. No effort will be spared to have such a system brought into operation as soon as possible.” “I also have in mind the idea of a more efficient roading system. To my mind all main arterial roading .should be under the control of the Main Highways Board. The advantages of such a policy are obvious. There would be uniformity of construction, and continuity of policy, and the board could plan ahead with regard to both construction and expenditure. To-day the work is done spasmodically, and in my opinion considerable savings could be effected. “The petrol tax must be .restored to its original purpose. In the first place it was intended that its piocccds should be used entirely on roading, but in recent years a considerable proportion of the revenue has been diverted to the Consolidated Fung for general purposes. The roading system of the Dominion has suffered accordingly, and that state of affairs cannot continue. More attention must be paid to backcountry roads, and county councils, with assistance from the Public Works Department, will be encouraged to concentrate on access and feeder roads. We are living in times of stern competition and if .the producer is given better access for bringing his goods to market, both ho and the farming community generally will have a bettoi chance in competition with produceis from overseas. A good national roading system is one of the best assets the Dominion' can possess.”