RAILWAYS AND MOTORS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 July 1934, Page 4

RAILWAYS AND MOTORS.

More or less ridiculous statements have been heard from time to time that the railways should be subjected to the same time-table restrictions, etc., as the motor traffic which plies for hire on the roadways. The State owes a duty to the public to protect the property of the public, and therefore the interests of the railways must be paramount. Those who have not given very close study to the subject have urged that only those who pay the taxes should have representation on those bodies controlling road traffic. As everybody contributes, either directly or indirectly, towards the upkeep of the roads, then it follows that everybody, should be represented on the boards. That, however, would not suit these direct representation advocates, because they desire only one or two sections of the general public to be represented. It is quite easy to see through their scheme, which would be to handicap the railways wherever possible. The policy of the Government must be, “Hands off the railways,” and no traffic must be allowed to compete detrimentally against them. Every assistance should be given to motor traffic to act as feeders to the railways. Outside of restraining undue competition with the railways, motor services should not be fettered, and competition should be free, with the survival of the fittest.