ROAD HOARDINGS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 8

ROAD HOARDINGS

Wellington Entrance

“A Scandal”

MOTORISTS PROTEST

Criticism Of Railways Department

“I certainly think we should make a frontal attack on the Railways Department for the way it is placarding the front entrance to Wellington with hoardings,” said Mr. E. A. Batt (Wellington), at the half-yearly meeting of the North Island Motor Union in Wellington yesterday. “The entrance to Wellington is a scandal,” he added. “There is a complete set of hoardings all the way out to Petone, and the way the Railways Department is developing this advertising it will soon be impossible to see the harbour anywhere along the Hutt Road.” “The Government has set the worst possible example. How can we expect to get any sympathy from the Minister of Internal Affairs when his colleague, the Minister of Railways, permits such a state of affairs?” Mr. Batt continued. "It appears to me that the Government of the day has no sympathy whatever in any campaign to bring down roadside hoardings. We should make a frontal attack with the gloves off against this hunger of the Railways Department for revenue, probably to make up deficiencies.” Attention Distracted. "We should protest to the Minister of Railways at the manner in which advertising has been placed on the most dangerous part of the road—across the road,” said Mr. E. Palliser (Wellington). “The two overhead bridges on the Hutt Road are each carrying advertisements. We have had red lights put there and staggered piers for the prevention of accidents. If those advertisements are of any value it is because they make tho motorist take his eyes off -the road to read them. If they are of no value, they have no right to be there.”

The meeting decided to press the authorities for legislation to prohibit any roadside hoardings within two chains of a public highway and Urged that any such legislation be so worded as to bind the Crown.