Walkways bill introduced

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33816, 12 April 1975, Page 2

Walkways bill introduced

tNew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 11. A bill establishing a national system of public walkways was introduced into Parliament today by the Minister of Lands (Mr Rata).

During the first reading debate on the New Zealand Walkways Bill, Mr Rata said that three walkways as provided for by the bill had already been established in the North Island.

The bill provides for the establishment of a walkways commission, and sets out the machinery for drawing up agreements on private land used.

The rights of private landowners would be protected, Mr Rata said; there would be no compulsion on them. The success of the system was dependent on voluntary negotiations between private landowners and the commission.

The Opposition spokesman on lands, Mr V. S. Young

(Egmont), said the National Party supported the principles of the bill, which had first been promoted by a former National Minister of Lands.

The bill allows land to be leased or bought for a walkway after consultation with private owners, and sets out regulations forbidding firearms to be carried on or near a walkway. Dogs and motor-vehicles are also forbidden, but Mr Rata told Mr T. F. Gill (Nat., East Coast Bays) that sections of suitable walkways could be used as bridle tracks. The bill will be considered by the Land and Agriculture Committee.