TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 1 December 1927, Page 2

TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION STATEMENT BY PREMIER (United Press AflHi>oi3.tioa) WELLINGTON, This Day, * Mr Coates issued a statement to-day with regard to the inquiry into the transport systems of New Zealand. As a preliminary consideration by a small departmental committee lias proceeded it lias become increasingly clear that the problem is one of very considerable importance and complexity. A larger preliminary committee accordingly lias been set up to co-ordinate the work, consisting of the permanent heads of tho Public Works Department, Post and Telegraph Department, Railway and Marine Department, the Government Statistician and representatives of the Premier’,s Department. The committee is now engaged ment. The committee is now engaged in tho task of evolving a definite plan by which it is hoped to> collate in the simplest and most effective way, facts and figures which will serve to form a basis of a reasoned conclusion as to the present position. “As illustrating the magnitude and tho importance of the work before the committee,” states Mr Coates, “it may bo pointed out that the scope of their investigations includes a review of the road taxation by local bodies and by the State; the cost of construction of roads, including Government subsidies, construction and maintenance, of main highways; railway maintenance of construction and operation; harbour facilities; municipal transport and road transport both commercial and private. Already a considerable mass of detailed information and statistics lias been collected and compiled. It is plain that an enormous development may be expected in tho use of commercial motor vehicles, and it is felt by the committee that tho proper time to initiate the investigation of this branch of the subject is while the motor traffic is still in its infancy. Statistical enquiries are accordingly

being to the owners of commercial motor vehicles and an effort has been made to cause as little inconvenience to those concerned as possible, and I trust in view of the importance of the subject that the information will bo supplied readily and in as much detail as possible. lu the circumstances I wish again to make' it clear that the Government has no intention of taking any drastic steps in connection with • motor t/anspyrt or any other mode of transport, nor indeed does it intend to take any steps whatever in the ijieant ime. 'f he'object of the committee’s investigations is merely to collect data and to report.”