BETTER HIGHWAYS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 10

BETTER HIGHWAYS

Minister’s Enthusiasm Praised TRIBUTE TO ENGINEERS “I think we all must recognize that there has been a marvellous improvement in our roads,” said Mr. W. T. Guild (Taranaki) in moving at the half-yearly meeting of the North Island Motor Union in Wellington yesterday that the union place on record its gratitude to the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, for the improved condition of the highways, the removal of level crossings and the success of the road safety campaign. Mr. E. Palliser (Wellington) : I think we might rush into this without thinking just who has been responsible for this improvement. We have a wonderful body in the Main Highways Board. Some of the problems would have staggered engineers as recently as 10 years ago, but the board’s engineers have overcome them. Any motion should have embodied in it a suitable reference to the work of the Main Highways Board and its engineers. Mr. E. A. Batt (Wellington) : I think we should be a little guarded. While we appreciate what has been done, it has been at enormous cost —quite out of proportion to the ability of our little country to pay—and the thinking people of the country don’t approve. At this stage Mr. Batt said he did not wish the rest of his remarks reported and the discussion was continued in committee. An amendment by Mr. Batt that the Minister bo thanked for bis enthusiasm and activity regarding road safety and that appreciation be expressed of the extent of the work and the excellent workmanship of the Main Highways Board, lapsed for want of a seconder. The motion, with the amendment suggested by Mr. Palliser, was then carried.