NEW ZEALAND ROAD SIGNS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 93, 13 January 1939, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND ROAD SIGNS

Praise By Visitor

LESSON FOR AUSTRALIA

“.In uo portion of the United States of America, Canada or Australia is guidance for motorists so well established as in New Zealand,” said Mr. F. E. Baume, F.R.G.S.. editor of the “Sunday Sun,” Sydney, who arrived at Wellington from Auckland yesterday in the course of a motor tour of New Zealand. Mr. Baume is a former New Zealander. “The progress of the automobile associations and their concern for the welfare of the travelling public is something which Australia, for one country, should follow,” he said. “The Australian traveller is able to get into his ear in Auckland, and, without knowing anything about the country but a map, travel through every province witli more than reasonable care, completing his journey as sound in wind and limb as when lie started it. “It takes one but a few minutes to learn the signs. The intersection signs and signs for curves left and right, and specially for reverse curves, are models of safety propaganda. 1 drove down from Auckland this iiidruing, and was able to go across a long and difficult hill sue!) as Mt. Messenger in blinding rain by merely observing tlie signs, and doing what they said. “The toll of life from road accidents is growing in our country, as in this. It might be advisable, one day, for a conference between the motor associations in Australia'- and New Zealand to be held, so that standard signs could be adopted. This would certainly help the tourist, who knows little’about I he roads other than what the signs tell him.”

Mr. Baume’s party left Auckland at 9 a.m. yesterday and, stopping an hour on the way for lunch, arrived at Wellington at 9 p.m.