AUTHORITY FOR “MOTORWAYS”

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 10

AUTHORITY FOR “MOTORWAYS”

BILL PASSED BY HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 19. The Public Works Amendment Bill, which provides for the establishment of ‘‘motorways,” from which horsedrawn. pedestrian, and stock traffic will be barred, was passed by the House of Representatives to-day. Moving the second reading, the Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) said the object was to reduce the number of road accidents. The provisions of the bill would apply only to declared “motorways,” not to ordinary highways. That loss of life could be reduced by providing modern motoring roads was shown by the four-way highway in the Ngahauranga Gorge. Since its construction there had been not one fatality there. New “motorways” would be as safe as engineering skill could make them. Mr W. S. Goosman (Opposition, Piako) said this was a desirable development, but it was questionable if New Zealand would be able to build the “motorways” for a long time. Mr Semple: We are starting now. Mr Goosman: That is all very well, but what is going to be sacrificed to make that possible? Mr Goosman contended that the tarsealing of main highways to abate the dust nuisance was equally urgent and should not be deferred. Mr T. E. Skinner (Government, Tamaki) supported the idea of “motorways,” but Mr P. Kearins (Government, Waimarino) said the sealing of existing highways should take precedence. It would save as many lives as the construction of motorways. Mr Semple, replying, said the jobs ahead would not be rushed and would be carried out according to the manpower situation, the supply of materials, and the degree of urgency.