MAIN HIGHWAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 8

MAIN HIGHWAYS

COMPLAINTS UNWARRANTED MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICS [ Per Prets Association. J TIMARU, Feb. 9. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, spent a busy day in South Canterbury to-day, visiting Geraldine, Temuka and Timaru. He was accorded civic receptions and later received a large number of deputations. The Minister received funner deputations at Timaru to-night. Referring to the condition of the main highways, the Minister made the following statement: “Since the holiday season I have noticed in the Press several letters from correspondents and general articles concerning the condition of the main highways. Almost without exception these contributors allege that the roads traversed were in shockingly bad order and that in the opinion of the writers they had seldom experienced worse conditions. It is noteworthy that the complainants themselves have excluded the paved highways from their adverse comment. From my own observations the complaints are grossly; exaggerated and unjustified and I am bound to say that if the general condition of the main highways to-day is regarded as bad the public have very short memories as to what conditions existed in the past. I have found that many holiday seekers who are accustomed to well-graded paved roads of easy alignment, fail to recognise that when on a holiday tour of several hundred miles in either Island they must expect to travel over unsealed roads and they cannot or do not adjust themselves to the different travelling conditions. To one who is seldom off a paved road, the dust nuisance on the macadam surface is certainly unpleasant and any unevenness in the surface or alignment does not improve the outlook of that particular class of traveler. It is manifectly unjust to condemn roads which are known to be in a satisfactory condition simply because 'hey are not paved. Our main highways are being extensively reconstructed to bring about better and safer travelling conditions and while the vagaries of traffic and uncertainty of weather at times might cause inexperienced motorists some little discomfort, I know that many of the complaints which receive publicity are without merit. I have travelled extensively over the main highways in both Islands and have seen the conditions for myself, but if further testimony is required I am able to remind critics of the praise offered gratuitously from •verseas travellers on the high standard of our reading system compared with conditions in overseas countries Biuch older than New Zealand.”