The Daily News SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1929. THE TRANSPORT PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1929, Page 8

The Daily News SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1929. THE TRANSPORT PROBLEM.

Those who visit for the first time the chief centre of the Empire (London) cannot fail to be impressed with the magnitude of its transport problem and of the immensity of the interests involved. Some light is now being shed upon this matter in consequence of the somewhat sensational scheme of the Government for placing the whole of London’s traffic in the hands of a limited number . of first-class business men, employed by the community, and “encourage them to run it with all the vigour of commercial enterprise.” Inasmuch as the interests which would have to be acquired have a capital value estimated at one hundred million sterling, it is obvious such a scheme will necessitate exceptionally careful consideration. It can certainly be regarded as one of the boldest adventures of any State into the socialisation of public services, and though the details have yet to be worked out, it is probable that the feature which will appeal most to the Dominions will not be so much the exemplification of the principle of public ownership as the new departure in engaging business men of proved ability to control and administer this vast undertaking' upon business lines. When the Minister for Transport (Mr. Morrison) first propounded his views on the subject he indicated that he was seeking a solution of two problems—first, that of transport and public safety on the roads of the whole country; and, secondly, the co-ordination of the pas-senger-transport facilities in the London traffic area. While a solution of the first and larger problem should present few, if any, difficulties to outstanding business men, there would seem to be small prospect of any early solution of the second problem, especially in view of the rejection by the House of Commons, in July last, of the private enabling Bills promoted by the London County Council and the Underground group of electric railways. It is understood, however, that those in control of the Underground group, in the hope of relieving traffic congestion, have been urged by the Minister to proceed without delay with the long desired extensions, while similar action was taken by Mr. Thomas, with the object of providing work for the unemployed. In this connection it is interesting to recall the statement made by Mr.' Thomas, at the October Conference of the Labour Party, to the effect that a million sterling would find work directly for not more than two thousand men, and indirectly for another two thousand. According to official figures the construction of one mile of tube railway costs £850,000, and as the proposed extensions cover at least eight miles there would be available nearly seven millions, an amount that would certainly absorb . an appreciable number of the unemployed. As these extensions penetrate areas densely populated there should be no fear that they will, not pay, especially under efficient control. Other developments are contemplated to meet the needs of increasing population. Many of the plans of the main lines for which Mr. Thomas has called are already known. It is understood also that the proposals of all four of the groups have been drawn up, and that the electrification of suburban lines round London is included. Obviously such expensive schemes cannot be undertaken without State financial aid. At the same time it must be remembered that such assistance will take the form of diverting to urgently needed transport facilities a portion of the money now being spent upon doles for the relief .of the unemployed. Outlay of this kind must rightly be regarded as a profitable investment, even if it savours of advanced Socialism, though shorn of the worst features of State control and political machinations. ■ Until the whole scheme

is made public it is impossible to form any accurate idea of its cost or the number of men for whom work will be found. The deplorable economic waste that has been costing the Old Country such a heavy price is still proceeding, so that any well conceived scheme for providing work on satisfactory lines should be welcome. Much has already been accomplished at Home in the direction of improved transport and safeguarding the public when using the highways of the the whole country, but there remains plenty of scope for further activity in that direction. It may safely be anticipated that the prosecution of the Labour Government’s schemes will be watched with interest by the Dominions and other countries having similar though smaller problems to solve-