DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1937, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS

- WELLINGTON, August 17. According to a statement by Mr Savage, Cabinet will consider the guaranteed price for dairy produce to-morrow afternoon. Further provision tor adult education in New Zealand is being made by the Government on this year’s estimates, according to advice received from the Minister for Education (Hon P. Fraser) by the Council of the Auckland University College. Grants totalling £3OOO are to be made, m addition to those paid-at present. The difference in the price of tobacco in South Atrica and new Zealand were commented on by Mr Robert Stephenson, who is touring with the Springboks. He pointed out that for the two-ounce bags of Transvaal tobacco costing Is 6d in Capetown he has to pay 4s here. “That is not so bad,’ he said, “but I was surprised to find that I had to pay is for a cigat I could buy in Sydney for 6d. NAPIER, August 16. Fire destroyed a two-storeyed house at Westshore, where no fire prevention equipment is available. The building was insured for £335 and the furniture for £215. Mr and Mrs Boyd, the owners were absent at the time. Cm BLENHEIM, August 10. Reference to the Government legislation regarding the motor business and to the policy being followed regarding railway construction was made by Mr. H. M. Christie M. . for Waipawa, at Renwick in the first of a series of addresses in the Wairau electorate. Mr. Christie replied to the statements recently made by the leader of the ©position, the Hon Adam Hamilton, in connection with the Government’s policy in pushing through uncompleted main trunk lines and its regulation of motor transport. The two questions were of paramount importance to everyone in the country said Mr. Christie, and co-ordination ot the two services was absolutely essenMr Christie said motor transport was entirely dependent on importations to carry on its business, whereas the country already had the necessary fuel to carry on its railways, a point that would be of supreme importance in the event of war. There were now thousands of motor vehicles operating for every one that was operating during the last war. The transportation of fat stock would be impossible by motor transport m the event of hostilities again breaking out, and, another important point, the question of cost had to be considered. Even in peace time it was more economic to transport fat stock and fertilisers, the two most important branches of the primary industry, by rail, but a striking illustration of what would be required of the railways could be obtained by considering what would be their value from, a defence point of view. From all these aspects, therefore, it could be seen that the completion of railways was a national necessity, and the Government was absolutely satisfied that its policy in regard to railways was a correct one. So far as the Government’s regulation of motor transport was concerned, Mr. Christie said that the question of road construction and access generally was also highly important. For instance the replacement. of wooden culverts and bridges with concrete structures was gradually resulting in the work of counties being mainly concerned with surface maintenance. The taking over of control of main highways by the M_ain Highways Board and the subsidy of the cost of work on other highways by general motor taxation, had, to some extent, resulted in the general taxpayer having a direct interest in the work.