COMPLEX PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 5

COMPLEX PROBLEM

TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN N.Z. PREMIER ISSUES STATEMENT. LARGER COMMITTEE SET UP. (Per Press Association). Wellington, December 1. Tbe Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates issued a statement to-day with regard to the inquiry into the transport systems of New Zealand. “As preliminary consideration by th® small departmental committee has proceeded,’’ says the Premier, "it has become increasingly clear that the problem is one of very considerable importance and complexity A large preliminary committee has accordingly been set up to ci-ordinate the work consisting of the permanent heads of the Public Works Department, the Post and Telegraph Deparment, the Railway and the Marine Departments, with all of which are associated the Government Statistician and representatives of the Premier’s Department. The committee is now engaged in the task of evolving a definite plan by which it is hoped to collate in' the simplest and most effective way facts and figures which will serve to form a basis of a reasoned conclusion as to the present position MAGNITUDE OF WORK. As ilustrating the magnitude and importance ef Ithe work before the committee it may be pointed out that the scope, of their investigation includes a review of road taxation by local bodies and by the State; the cost of construction of roads, including Government subsidies; the construction and maintenance of main highways; railway construction and the operation of harbour facilities ; municipal transport and road transport, both commercial and private. Already a considerable mass of detailed information and statistics have been collected and compiled. COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES “It seems plain that enormous development may be expected in the use of commercial motor vehicles, and it is felt by the committee that the proper time to initiate an investigation of this branch of the subjest is while motor traffic is still in its infancy. Statistical enquiries are accordingly being addressed for this purpose to owners of commercial motor vehicles. “An effort has been made to cause as little inconvenience to those concerned as possible, and 1 trust that in view of the importance of the subject the information will be supplied readily, and in as much detail as possible. In the circumstances 1 wish again to make it clear that .he Government has no intention of taking any drastic steps in connection with motor transport. pr any other mode of transport. Nor. indeed, do they intend to take any steps whatsoever in the meantime. “The object of the enquiry as to motor vehicles and the object of the whole of the committee’s investigations is merely to collect data and to report,’’