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Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1929, Page 4

Probably, the mast striking feature of the Transport Bid _ust brought down has .been the omission of the provision ior two Main Highway Boards—one for each Island—which was the avowed policy cf the Government when Parliament assembled. The Government was wise to give a second thought to Lie subject, and to give favourable attention to the consideration of the many resolutions sent forward from the South Island in particular opposing the necessity of a second Board. The matter may now be considered set: led, and it is pleasing to find that the extra expense which would have been involved in a second Board has been avoided. Generally the Transport Bill appears to be. a co-ordinating measure. It establishes a new Department which will control all means of vehicular transport. It will therefore become a very important Department as time goes on. The regulation of motor traffic in particular has been a growing question for a'long time past. Even up to the present there has been a good deal of divided authority, finder the measure now before Parliament that division of management is to disappear. The Transport Board will be the con'rolling authority and .through it not only the registration of vehicles but also the licensing of ve-

—elcs and drivers, and. the regulation of omnibus traffic, will pass to the new Board. On that account, it will be a very important body, and anticipating the changes, the .Department is now being set up in special quarters where once tiie Prime Minister resided. The provisions of the Bill in the main 1 affect motor traffic, the control regarding Jbus runs and routes is to be removed from local homes and placed under an independent Board. Some of the metropolitan re litres will probably , resent this, considering themselves th best qualified to control local affairs. The centralising of control will, however have the effect of creating uniformity in administration, and in regard to the groiving volume of motortraffic that must be an important aspect to take into account. The changes affecting the smaller centres do not appear likely to cause so much concern. A single and uniform control will be established but revenue from heavy traffic fees and drivers’ licenses are not to.: be'diverted'from the local bodies. The expense of collection may be higher, though it will probably be more thorough, and there should be uniformity in regaru tu tests for drivers’ licences wbmh should tend tov r ards greater safety for the public. On the whole, therefore the purpose and intent of the measure should be for the p”blie "ond. Transport traffic is to he liberalised so far as administration is concerned, and the co-ordina-tion of control and uniformity in administration should assist greatly to meet the incasing needs of a rapidly growing traffic.