MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 July 1924, Page 9

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

MOTOR VERSUS RAILWAY. INTENTION OF MINISTER. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 10. Addressing a deputation of members of Parliament from Otago district this morning, the Minister for Public Works said it was a question whether the Main Highways Board should definitely decide upon its programme in regard to the loading of one portion of the Dominion without regard for what was to be done in other parks. He had su gg es ted to the chairman of the board it would be far better to have the North and South Island proposals before them at the same time so as to make an even start. It was all very well to say “first come first served.” in the North Island the board was mainly concerned with lateral roads to the railway, but in the South Island that was not so to the same extent, except in Marlborough and on the West Coast. in Canterbury there was a provision lor a road which would run practically alongside the railway line. Here ‘ they 'were faced with the anomaly that motors would use a track for which they did not pay, while- the railways had to maintain their own tracks. He hoped the Motor Vehicles Bill, to be introduced to Parliament, would do away with the anomaly. That was not all he proposed to do in regard to competition between the motor and the railway. He did not see why railways should not compete successfully with motor traffic in such circumstances. The railways would endeavour to take the business away from the motors, and he hoped to introduce the necessary legislation very soon.