THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1950. OTAGO ROAD PROJECTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27386, 11 May 1950, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1950. OTAGO ROAD PROJECTS

The opinion expressed by Mr P. W. Breen at a meeting of the executive of the Otago Automobile Association, that “ it is time all local bodies and other organisations made up their minds what they wanted as priorities for Otago” is deserving of support.’ The need for a planned, co-ordinated approach to the Government to secure developmental projects for this province has more than once been urged in these columns in the past, and it is just as necessary today. The proposal to call a conference in order to obtain concerted action on road projects is a good one, provided that the selected delegates attend with open minds and a common determination to draw up a positive programme of development for submission to the authorities. In such matters there is, frequently, a tendency for interested persons to pre-judge the respective proposals which are to be brought forward for consideration, and this tendency was evident at the Automobile Association’s own meeting. The members present appeared to have formed already their own views regarding the priority to be given the various projects under discussion, and most exercised their right to air their opinions. No doubt their ideas will have the support of a substantial section of their organisation and of the general public, but there are certain to be other people who will, with equal sincerity, differ on the degree of urgency to be given the works which are considered by the Automobile Association to be imperative. There can be no denying the need for an immediate improvement to the road outlets from the city, and particularly the one to the north. The present northern route is wholly inadequate for the purpose it serves and the Minister of Works has agreed that the construction of a new road is a matter of “ paramount importance.” Regarding subsequent developments there is likely to be considerably less unanimity. Otago has so long been neglected by those in authority that there is no lack of urgent roading requirements. The renewal of the Port Chalmers highway and a new southern outlet are but two of the most pressing. The completion of the Haast Pass road is another undertaking that has been too long delayed, and at any conference of interested parties this project would undoubtedly receive better than the luke-warm approbation it was granted! at the meeting of the Automobile Association. As a major work of provincial development, opening up new territory and a new tourist route into Otago, it has an importance which demands that it be classified high in the list- of priorities. Its exact position on the list, however, like those of other desirable works, could be determined at a representative conference of local bodies and other organisations, and the united opinion of such a conference would prove of genuine assistance when the Government considers the final order of priority.