The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1923. MOTOR TRANSPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15361, 9 October 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1923. MOTOR TRANSPORT.

The Importation of motor cars proceeds at a great rate, and the Increase in the number of motor-lorries is equally striking. We are in the midst of a great revolution in the matter of transport, which will have many curious results. The demand for improved roads already exists, and is found 1e every part of the country, and in spite of difficulties of finance and t apathy of local bodies the roads-will be provided. The Government has' taken the main roads in hand, and are working out a scheme by which the counties will do the work as agents' for the Government. They will find that the difficulty is finance, for although a tyre tax will yield a considerable sum, it will be small compared to what is wanted. We shall come no doubt to a lax on petrol, although such a tax will be regrettable. No very definite idea exists' respecting the amount of money required. About forty millions have been invested in railways, and it may well prove to be a similar amount that is required for roads. Half the value of the railways will disappear, for half the trade will go by motors. But if the Government are to find finance a difficulty in spite of their power tp raise money through the Customs', what will be the position of local bodies who have no source of revenue except the rates? It is useless to sit back and take the line that the work is too expensive and cannot be, undertaken. This may be done in a few isolated instances, but the effect will be to place the settlers in such districts at a disadvantage as compared with places where motor transport can be used. Some industries will not be carried on, land will bo unsaleable, and the district will go back. This, however, is not likely to be common. In most places an effort, will be made to supply the roads to the required standard, and this will involve a large increase in rates, which will cause more or less' resentment until people grow accustomed to the new burden. Land-owners will naturally feel it hard that'they should be penalised to provide for wants that no one suspected a few years back. Land as a whole has not been treated unjustly, for in years gone by the construction of railways added greatly to tjie value of land. The work was done at public expense, but the Increased value of the land went into privato pockets. Now the reverse process is taking place. Unfortunately the men who made the profits have in most instances' realised it, and those now on the land arc left to pay Hie extra charges. If there were any other source of revenue an effort would no doubt be made to develop it, but it is difficult to point to any source which would yield more than a trifle. Toll-gates are often spoken of, and they may even be revived, but it will be found that after paying cost of collection they do not provido very much. The problem is, of course, much more serious in country than in towns, although boroughs arc likely to find it important enough. Roads must be made in a much more expensive manner, and even so, will require much expenditure for upkeep. There is a general idea that if roads can be put down in concrete all troubles arc solved; but unless a covering be provided for the concrete the surface will wear and concrete cannot be patched. It forms an excellent foundation, but some covering must be provided. The effect of increased rates and higher standards of roading will bo to raise the price of suburban laud, though it may depress the price of country laud. In view of the housing shortage it would be regrettable it' building allotments' rose in price, and the Government might assist in this matter by an alteration of the law. In the good old days when there was a great deal of land and very few people a largeminded legislature ordained that no road should be loss than 66ft in width, whether il was wanted or nut. The cost n|' making such roads even in a rudimentary manner added to the price of allotments, and lliu cost of maintaining them, though often likewise in a rudimentary manner, added to Hie rates. The object was to provido ample air space, which is most desir'ablc, but could be done as effectually

and more ecoaomlcally by making side roads of half the width, and compelling all buildings to be kept back 40 or .45ft from the centre of the road. There would be room enough for the traffic of a side-road, and the wide spaces would be maintained by the householder as lawns and gardens. Such land could be sold cheaper because it would take less money to make the road in the first instance, and local bodies' would appreciate the saving in maintenance.

Motor transport should do something to cjieck the tendency for suburban populations to grow at the expense of the country. It should add much to the attractiveness of life a few miles out. It should make many industries possible which are now pre - vented by want of transport. Some.one with a taste for epigram has said 'civilisation is transport, and it is at least as true as most such sayings. We may later find other changes in social matters, for the old local feelings that once were strong are likely to disappear. Wo do not realise fully the change that is taking place, and indeed the Government have not reaped it at all, for they are still making railroads. The Introduction of railways worked a social revolution; the introduction of motor transport [will work another.