TOWN CARRIERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20670, 8 March 1937, Page 8

TOWN CARRIERS

THE RECENT INQUIRY SOME FAR-REACHING RECOMMENDATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 6. The report of the Committee which investigated the taxi and town carrying business is being considered by the Transport Minister, the Hon. R. Semple, who stated to-day that the report was a very comprehensive one and contained some far-reaching recommendations aimed at improving the general efficiency of these two important classes and the working conditions of those engaged in them. Some of the recommendations would require legislation to give effect to them. He was arranging to have the report printed for the information of the public and would make an announcement regarding the action that was to be taken as soon as the report had been considered by the Cabinet.

Some of the measures being taken to improve the standard of roads and streets in the Dominion in order to achieve a greater degree of safety were outlined by Mr Semple to-day. As a result of the recommendations of the Road Safety Council he had circularised all local road controlling authorities drawing attention to and requesting their co-operation in maintaining a proper standard of safety in regard to the road itself. Apart from roads solely controlled by local bodies, the Main Highways Board is encouraging the general adoption on main highways of measures advocated by the Safety Council, and is itself proceeding to give active effect to the recommendations of the Council with a view to minimising the risk of accidents. The Board proposes to set aside £25,000 annually for the purpose of erecting protective fencing, providing safety terriers at schools, and other safety measures where dangerous conditions now exist. This money will be used wholly for work additional to that usually covered by maintenance expenditure. Super elevation on curves, signposting, painting bridges, rails and approach fences, pavement markings, bridge planking, etc., will receive attention in the normal course of maintenance activities. The Minister said that he had received a considerable number of letters from local authorities assuring him of their willingness to assist the safety campaign by carrying out to the limit of their financial ability road improvements which were necessary for safety in their particular districts.