MOTOR TRANSPORT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 4

MOTOR TRANSPORT.

It is somewhat difficult' to understand the attitude of certain country members of Parliament towards the question of motor traffic and improved main roads. A few days ago Mr J. B, Hamilton, member for Awarua, asked the Minister of Public Works whether a Main Roads Bill was to be introduced this session, and, on the authority of a Wellington paper, "was at no pains to hide the fact that his interest in the measure was hostile.". The same member has since given notice of the question whether the Prime Minister would introduce legislation this session to enable country councils to increase the tax, to the extent, if they desired, of making it prohibitive, on motor lorries carrying goods on roads parallel with the railway lines, if Parliament desired to stop the clock of progress it would assent to the suggestion implied in this question, but by so doing it would give a monopoly to the railways which would have the effect of discouraging anything in the nature of a progressive policy. Motor traction is only in its infancy, but it has already proved a bo'on to many country settlers and it has some obvious advantages over the railway. If the future shows that motor traction is cheaper, more, expeditious, and) more convenient than the railway for the transport of certain goods it would be pure conservatism and rank folly to cling to the more expensive method. If motor taxation fails to satisfy the business tests it cannot exist in competition, but if it succeeds it at least deserves fair play. At present two of the British railway groups, with a capital of about £600,000,000, are asking Parliament for an unrestricted right to road haulage,— a right which would have the effect of so reducing competition as to give to the railways an absolute monopoly. The second reading of the Bill which they have promoted was carried by a majority of only five votes in the House of Commons and if it passes it will certainly be in an emasculated form. At present the British public in many cases is reaping advantages from motor haulage, and there, is naturally a great deal of opposition to the Bill. By adopting Mr Hamilton's suggestion the dominion would in effect be refusing to take advantage of improvements which science and industry have placed at its disposal. A young country with a progressive spirit-, cannot afford to assume voluntarily such a handicap.