TRANSPORT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 57, 1 December 1926, Page 12

TRANSPORT

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD AT WANGANUI SPEECH BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS Dominion Special. Wanganui, November 30. Members of the Main Highways Board were entertained bv the Mayor (Mr. Hope Gibbons) at Foster’s Hotel this evening, the Hon K. S Williams, Minister of Public Works and representatives of other local bodies in the district being present. The Mayor proposed the toast of the Minister. The Minister, in replying to the toast, said that, only for the invitation of the Mayor, be had not intended to visit the district so soon. He recognised that the portlolio he held had been verv well managed bv his predecessor, the Prime Minister, and lie did not pretend to be able to do so well He claimed to have some knowledge, and sympathy with those who lived in the back country of the Dominion He had always lived in the back blocks, and would sooner live there than in Wellington, anv time He considered that it was the duty of those who could afford the time to give those in need the advantage of their experience He was making his present tour with the object of getting a more intimate knowledge of the districts, and of the roads and to see the people so that, together with the officers of his department, he might be able to decide better where assistance should go. He did not mind how far they took him and how muddy the roads, so long as he could meet the people He would not promise to Help all at once, but he did want to get that knowledge. In regard to railways, unless the people could assure him that thev were going to pay, he was not prepared to entertain a proposal to construct them, for it was the people oming after them who would have to pay the interest. He recognised that matters of transport had changed very rapidly during the last 10 vears, and the motor traffic with its flexibility had to be considered verv carefully He hoped to be able to co-operate’ with the Highways Board in the matter as to whether it would be better to make good roads than railways. The cost of constructive work was higher than 20 vears ago, and all these points would have to be carefully considered. In regard to hvrdo-electricity, lie recognised that the schemes in hand would have to be completed. Apart from cheap light, comfort, etc., lie wanted to see the hvdro power introduced into the factories, so that the public would get the benefit tn cheap boots, clothing, etc Comfort in regard to electricity should not be their only ideal. Bv increasing their manufacturing power then thev would go He hoped, that when travelling about he would get a knowledge of the settlers and their requirements, so that when discussions came tip. he would be able to add his quota to them, and be of some use to Hie settlers, and the Dominion generally. Mr J. Crull, president of the Chamber of Commerce, proposed the toast of the Highwavs Board, which was responded to bv Mr. McKenzie, chairman. -