WELL-PLANNED ROADS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 9

WELL-PLANNED ROADS.

IMPORTANCE IN DEFENCE.

Per Press Association

CHRISTCHURCH, Alureh 25. The importance of a properlyplanned reading system was stressed by the Alinister of Public AYorks (Hon. It. Semple), when opening the new bridge over the Rakaia River todav. Air Semple said that modern roads were not only necessary for transport in times of peace, but formed an integral part of the national defence scheme. “Hitler realised this before he began to dictate to the world,” added Mr Semple. “He built the best roading system the world ever lias seen. Having accomplished that, he commenced his plan for the expansion ol Germany. England has condemned her own reading system and is now reconstructing it on the lines adopted by Hitler. “AVe must also build roads for defence purposes in New Zealand. No scheme of defence can succeed these days if the reading system of the country is obsolete. In modern times we Jun e to mobilise men and commodities as quickly, safely, and cheaply as possible. That is where the proper planning of a roading system begins.” 'The Alinister added that for many years the Capital City of New Zealand had been suffering under the handicap of inadequate means of access. There was a higgledy-piggledy sort of road that served as a highway. Each bend had been baptised with the blood of innocent persons. This menace was being overcome as quickly as possible. AVellington could not be evacuated for days should a hostile force raid the Capital and drop bombs, and a similar ghastly state of affairs would arise in time of earthquake. Realising the gravity of the problem, the Government was determined to build a new modern highway leading in and out of Wellington. Under the old methods this work would take seven years'to complete, but with the mechanical aids now at the disposal of the Public AYorks Department Air Semple had undertaken to complete the job in nine months. Tie was already ahead ol schedule. Ibe Government was doing tbo maximum possible to make the roading and bridging improvements that were essential to New Zealand’s progress.