LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 June 1927, Page 4

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

It was gratifying to iind that the annual conference of representatives of Taranaki local bodies which sat at Eltham yesterday took a broad view of the problem of eliminating danger at level crossings and their responsibilities therewith. The scheme outlined by the chairman has still to receive the approval of the various bodies represented at the conference, but it is reassuring to find that there exists a preponderance of opinion 1 * favouring the view that the counties themselves should do something towards assisting the Government in carrying out this huge undertaking. By consenting to contribute 5 per cent, out of their funds and 5 per cent, from the heavy traffic fees, the counties will contribute an amount only equivalent to the proverbial "drop in the bucket” compared with the total cost, but that "drop” will do something towards influencing the setting aside of a sum of £25,000 annually by the Railways Department, ah amount whichj will carry a subsidy from Highways Board. When those sums become available, New Zealand will have the satisfaction of knowing that the big task of removing the danger which lurks on nearly every main highway intersected by a Tailway line is being attacked on a scale which will in a year or two appreciably reduce the danger which exists at present and will, in the course of time, entirely eliminate the menace which casts its shadows over so many lives at present. The delegate who said that he supported the proposal on humanitarian grounds took the proper view without committing his council to the expenditure of a sum which could be reckoned too high a price to pay for humanity’s sake.