UP-TO-DATE TRANSPORT FOR BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 150, 20 March 1919, Page 5

UP-TO-DATE TRANSPORT FOR BRITAIN

' SIR ERIC GEDDES'S PLANS. London, March IS. Sir Eric Geddes (Minister of Ways and Communications) indicated that, the immediate electrification of main lines will be undertaken. He believed that it would prove remunerative. He announced that the control of roads would be placed ill a separato Department, under General Maybury, who obtained a great reputation in connection with the roads of France. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OPPOSITION TO THE NEW LEGISLATION. (Roc. March 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 15. ' There is growing opposition to tho Ways and Communications Bill. Nearly 300* members of the Houso of Commons, also the Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, and Transporters' Union, protest against the far-reaching proposals, particularly the inclusion of roads, and the Minister's dictatorial powers enabling the Minister to purchase and operate ways and communications through Orders-in-Council. The motives of tho opposition aro that road users, especially commercial and private motorists, fear that Sir Eric Geddes's antecedents as railway manager will cause him to favour the railways at the expense of roads.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. - BILL READTSECOND TIME (Rec. March 20, 0.20 a.m.) London, March 19. ' In tho House of Commons tho Transport Bill was read a second time without a division. Mr. Bonar Law said that the Bill meant the repudiation of the whole past economic policy, and represented tho first big scheme of reconstruction. They must act -quickly to avert disaster.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.