THE PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 19 June 1926, Page 4

THE PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORT

EXPERTS CONFER

INTELESTING DISCUSSIONS Tin* j)jjpet’s read before tlu‘ Molhonriio Transport Conference disclosed l.liaL oilier countries l in their endeavour In perfect roiul transportation have dilli(iillics lo overcome similar lo those wo have in Australia, slates (ho motoring writer of the Melbourne Argus in a review of the discussions. America, for example, has the railway level crossing danger, and a solution has not been found. Mr Walter Schmidt, however, in his paper included a suggestion from a gathering of experts that the dangers could be lessened if alarms were provided to warn drivers a comparatively long distance before the railway crossing is reached.

HOW TO USE THE ROADS

Another paper by Mr Schmidt, illustrated by lilms, showed that America is laced with a serious problem in preventing loss of life through careless use of the roads. The deaths in one year in the United States totalled 12,000. The efforts to reduce accidents, however, provide a lead for Australians, and they mcludo education of tlm children and a combined campaign by railway authorities. automobile associations and clubs, Chambers of Commerce and other organisations, the members of which should icalise the economic losses occasioned bv premature deaths through street accidents. In Australia little has been done lo teach tlm people how to use the roads and thus prevent fatal accidents. The paper referred to oilers a. valuable suggestion, i.e., that a campaign to teach everyone ‘how to use the streets” would reduce accidents.

RAILWAYS AND THE PUBLIC

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria lias endeavoured to t,ca.ch motorists safety first, and the Railways Department lias done much to educato the people, but beyond these two groups no other organisations have helped. lhe Chamber of Manufactures, for example, through the factories owned by members, lias easy acoess to thousands of pedestrian employees. The Education Department should also co-operate. Shopkeepers’ associations have hitherto shown no interest in the highways. They could do much to improve traffic conditions and reduce accidents. Mr Clapp’s paper on the co-ordination of traffic contained concise opinions regarding the future policy of the State-owned railways. Mr Clapp said that if the public wanted “to travel on rubber,” they (the Railways Commissioners) would meet the demand, but, as the railways were State-owned, the public must pay for what is provided. The speaker also referred to railways oversea which had been closed because the public preferred motor transport and if Victorians wanted motors they’ could have them, and the Commissioners were prepared to recommend certain lines to be closed if the public preferred motors.

CHOICE OR TRANSPORT

The railways, Mr Clapp pointed out emphatically,' were “owned by the people,” and they bad the right to havo the choice of transport if they were willing to pay for it. It is not disputed that improvements in many country and suburban railway services were hastened by road-motor competition, a striking instance being the “Geelong Flier,’ ’the purpose of which is to compete with the motor services between Geelong and Melbourne. Mr Clapp also announed in bis paper that the Railways Department was about to establish motor delivery services from Spencer Street goods' yards to the consignee, and would link rural districts to the nearest railhead. Increased road passenger services were also announced. These improved transport facilities are the outcome of privately operated motor vehicles, and no one "will object to tho Railways Department's policy, providing some guarantee is given that if private enterprise is driven off, the Governmentowned road services will not then be withdrawn. People have witnessed the unfair tactics followed in regard to the motor-bus services. .

IN THE UNITED STATES

Mr Walter B. Schmidt, in h*s paper, “Tlic Motor Vehicle in the United States,” disclosed the wonderful spirit of co-operation between American manufacturers, which provides for an interchange of patent licenses without money payments. This ‘Cross-licensing” agreement allows every American motor manufacturer to use the inventions of his competitors without cash consideration. The National Automobile Chamber of Commerce brought this remarkable. co-operative scheme into being, and the leaders of the motor industry in the United States have gone farther than manufacturing and accepting the moral obligation to do something for America. They claim that by lowered costs a greater number of people will use motors —and from motor transportation a vast revenue for roads can be obtained. The tax is lower per vehicle than it is in Australia, yet 1,000,000,000 dollars a year is now available in America for roads, portion of which is obtained from Government grants. The reason Americans earn more, says Mr Schmidt, is because motor-ears save time and enable the 20,000,000 owners to do more useful work. His contention is supported by figures; while colossal •sums have been spout on automobiles, Hie assets of building associations have trebled in ten years. Life insurance is two and a half times as great, and in four years savings deposits have doubled, and the individual bank deposits have also been doubled.

TRANSPORT IN NEW ZEALAND

How the New Zealand Government consults the people regarding proposed legislation was told by Mr J. 1* . Cousins, secretary of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association. Motor legislation, for example, is not passed there until the Ministry has consulted the motoring organisation; that is why friction is avoided and administrative costs are iow. The Customs duty collected on tyres in New Zealand is expended on the roads and the appalling complications connected with the Customs tax on motor vehicles in Australia are not experienced in New Zealand. The motor industry, knowing its job, showed the Government just how the collection of Customs duty could he simply and effectively done.' The dosed doors of our legislators and Government departments in Australia could with advantage be opened to trade organisation, so that practical men could assist the Goverui.ient. The assumption that Government officials know more of an industry than those, engaged in it is wrong. Mr Ashcroft Edwards (N.Z.) referred to the road policy of the Dominion. Mr 11. 1,. Rogers in his paper included reference to motor competition with New Zealand railways, which lias been followed bv reduced rail freights and fares and improved services of both railway and tramway authorities. More than £6. 000,000 is “invested” in New Zealand in unopened railway linos, and in view of motor development it is believed that these lines will never be completed.