CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 14

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

MINISTER'S OBJECTIVE

SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY

SECURING BETTER ROADS

(Per Press Association.) INVKRjCARGILL, last night. The whole question of motor taxation is being reviewed, with a view to simplifying the present complicated system, said the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Transport, in an interview on his arrival in Invereargill this afternoon, "The roads are being made much safer, with the object of• encouraging people to use them,'' said the .Minister, "and of preserving human life. A simple national system ol control is being adopted in place of the former complicated system of local restrictions, under which, neither the motorist nor anyone else, knew his responsibilities. Far-reaching proposals are being carried out for improving, widening and .straightening the highways of the Dominion. All these proposals are aimed at promoting the development of all forms of motor transport.

"One of the main points of the Government's policy." continued Mr. Semple, "is to promote the best roads possible for motoring, and to ensure that these roads arc not death traps. By this policy it is .hoped that the benefits of science in the torm of the modern car, may be enjoyed by all citizens in this country. Personally, I would like to see a motor car for every family. "As 1 visualise the position at present, it seems desirable that there should be three main divisions of traffic control," continued Mr. Semple. These noma be :

"(1) Four main metropolitan districts, where traffic inspectors should be under one control in each district. These dis iricts will comprise the four main cities and surrounding centres, which for the purposes of motor traffic control may be regarded as single units; "(2) Boroughs with populations of 6000 and over, which will control their own irattic; and "(3) Smaller towns and rural areas, which will be under a national system if control."