MODERN HIGHWAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 13

MODERN HIGHWAYS

REDUCING ACCIDENTS PART IN DEFENCE SYSTEM The effect of the Government's policy "elating to road improvements was referred to bv tfto Minister of Public "Works, the Hon. It. Seinplo, who said yesterday that the new roads were - safety zones and not the speedways critics had foreshadowed. The wisdom of the Government's policy, he added, was reflected in the fact that the Dominion had practically a clean slate so far as road fatalities were concerned over the holiday season. "We have records to prove that the !tip-to-date modern highway, with its wide visibility an'd the elimination of ugly curves and grades, has been the means of making transport safo and reducing the road toll," the Minister continued. "The new railway crossings have also played their part in the road ,safety campaign. Much more has to be uone, and we are pushing rapidly ahead with improvements. To cope with increasing traffic is the foundation or safety," _ Improved highway formation was also an integral part of the defence system, said Mr. Semple. This had heen realised in Germany and Britain, and New Zealand's scheme had followed. With the modern plant used for road construction it would be possible to dig in thousands of men in a few hours. Modern methods also halved the cost of the work, as well as completing it two or three times V; faster. ' „ "Those who have criticised the Government for doing nothing for the tiefence of New Zealand should take a tour of the country," the Minister said, "They would then see what has been done "to improve aerodromes and highways.""