DEFENCE VALUE OF ROADS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 155, 27 March 1939, Page 5

DEFENCE VALUE OF ROADS

Mr. Semple’s Emphasis

NEW HIGHWAY TO THE

CAPITAL Hy Telegraph—Press Associative. CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. The importance of a properlyplanned reading system was stressed by the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Semple, when opening the new bridge over the Rakaia River today. Mr. Semple said that modern roads ■were not only necessary for transport in times of peace but formed an integral part of the national defence scheme. “Herr Hitler realized this before he began to dictate to the world,” added Mr.. Semple. “He built the best roading system the world has ever seen. Having accomplished that he commenced a plan for the expansion of Germany. England condemned her own reading system, and is now reconstructing it on the lines adopted by Hitler. We must also build roads for defence purposes in New Zealand. No scheme of defence can succeed these days if the roading system of a country is obsolete. "In modern times we have to mobilize men and commodities quickly safely, and as cheaply as possible. That is where proper planning of the roading system begins.” “Baptized With Blood.”

The Minister said that for many years the capital city of New Zealand had been suffering under the handicap of inadequate means of access. There was a higgledy-piggledy sort of road that served as a highway. Each bend had been baptized with blood of innocent persons. This menace was being overcome as quickly as possible. Wellington could not be evacutated for days should a hostile force raid the capital and drop bombs, and a similar ghastly state of affairs would arise in time qf an earthquake. Realising the gravity of the problem the Government determined to build a new modern highway leading in and out of Wellington. Under old methods this work would have taken seven years to complete, but with the mechanical aids now nt the disposal of the Public Works Depuartment Mr. Semple said he had undertaken to complete the job In nine months. He was already ahead of schedule. The Government was doing the maximum possible to make roading and bridging improvements that were essential to New Zealand’s progress.