Threat seen to N.Z. road system

Press, 20 August 1983, Page 14

Threat seen to N.Z. road system

Wellington reporter Unless something is done about it soon, New Zealand’s reading system is in danger of rapid deterioration, according to Professor P. P. S. Lu, professor of industrial administration at the University of Canterbury. He told an international reading symposium in Wellington that 30 years ago New Zealand had led the world in its legislation on road funding and administration. In the last 30 years New Zealand had built a reading system, which, given the country’s size and population, was second to none. The only effective way of preserving this national roading asset was by restor-

ing the original concept of the National Roads Fund, removing political control, and establishing adequate funding on a permanent basis. Professor Lu said he was deeply concerned at the trend of falling roading expenditure. It was a necessity, not a luxury, and continuing erosion of the system might prove to be highly uneconomic, and be reflected in increases in other costs. New Zealand’s whole lifestyle and livelihood had been built on the basis of a good and reliable road system, Professor Lu said. It was vital — 60 per cent of domestic freight and 90 per cent of passengers vyere moved by road. ■