ROADS AND DEFENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 68, 17 February 1939, Page 8

ROADS AND DEFENCE.

POLICY DEFENDED. REPLY TO CRITICISM. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. In a statement issued to-day, Hon. R. Semple referred to remarks made in Hastings by Sir Andrew Russell, who was reported to have said that it was much more important to spend money on defence than on some pub lie works, such as the Whakatu overbridge. Mr Semple replied that the Government was taking, and would continue to take, the steps it. considered necessary for the adequate defence of the Dominion. The overbridge referred to was part of the Government's road-safety policy, in which 250 of the most dangerous level crossings were being eliminated, the cost of the work mentioned being approximately £7BOO. “Next to the importance of protecting the country from foreign invasion is the protection of the people against themselves. We certainly could not allow the death and accident rate on the roads to continue, otherwise it would be difficult to say which was the more insidious —war or the road hazard.” said Mr Semple. “In the Great War New Zealand’s casualties were some 58,000 —or about the same number as the road casaulties of the last thirteen years. If we prevent manhood from being killed or maimed on the highways and byways we will be in. a better position to meet any foreign attack.” The Minister said the estimated expenditure this financial year for the construction of civil aerodromes was £2OO 000, for defence aerodromes £6O 000. and approximately £170.000 would be spent on the latter next year. The expenditure on defence buildings ,a.nd ground services this year amounted to £260 000. The Minister outlined what the present Government had accomplished in respect to defence aerodromes, with special reference to Ohnkea and Whenuapai. neither of which had been commenced by the last Government. In addition, the Wigram and Hobsonville air bases had been brought,up to modern standard. The Government was also doing much more than had ever been attempted in training men for the air. and an aerodrome for training purposes was now being constructed at ! Blenheim. Emergency landing grounds had been constructed throughout the Dominion. _ Mr Semple said Sir Andrew Russell was ungenerous in belittling the Government for its poliev of reducing road accidents. Since 1925 there had been pno casualties at railway crossings, resuiting in over 200 deaths. “Thoee who attempt to get rid of this slaughter surely deserve to be called something better than fools, even by an officer of the rank of Sir Andrew,” added the Minister.