A Car For Every Home

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 6

A Car For Every Home

Minister Amplifies His Road-control Scheme CITIES PROVIDE GREATEST NUMBER OF MISHAPS. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. “Tho whole question of motor control is being reviewed with the object of simplifying tho present complicated system,” said lion. R. Sompie, Minister of Transport, in an interview on his arrival in Invercargill this afternoon. “Tho roads are being made much safer with the object of encouraging people to use them and of preserving human life,” he added. “A simple national system of control is being adopted in place of the former complicated system of local restrictions under which neither a motorist nor anyone else knew his responsibilities. Far reaching proposals are being carried out for improving, widening and straightening the highways of tho Dominion and all these proposals are aimed at promoting the development of all forms of motor transport. “One of the main points of the Government’s policy is to promote the best roads possible for motoring and to ensure that these roads are 'not death traps. By this policy it if hoped that the benefits of science in the form of the modern car, may be enjoyed by all citizens in this country. Personally I would like to see a motor car for every family. Three Divisions of Control. “As I visualise the position at present *it seems desirable that there should be three main divisions of traffic control,” continued Mr. Semple. “These should be:— “Firstly, four main metropolitan districts where traffic inspectors should be under one control in each district. These districts will comprise the four main cities and surrounding centres which, for tho purposes of motor traffic control, may be regarded as single units. “Secondly, boroughs with populations of 6000 and over which will control their own traffic. "Thirdly, smaller towns and rural areas which will be under a national system of control. The Major Problem First. “I wish to refer particularly at thi moment to the four metropolitan districts. No less than approximately 35 per cent, of the total motor vehicles ia New Zealand are located in these districts and they are areas of greatest traffic density. During the last seven years approximately 40 per cent, of the fatal accidents have occurred in these areas. It will therefore be readily appreciated that if we are to aim at safer roads and streets we must have the most efficient system of control it is possible to obtain in these areas. it seems to me that with the whole of tho enforcement staff in each district under one control, the system would be uniform and clastic and more efficient than tho present diversified control. I feci confident that a unified system of traffic control will result in much better traffio conditions and will be a big step in the direction of coping with tho road accident problem,” said Mr. Semple who concluded by referring to tho spirit of helpfulness and co-operation on the part of the bulk of the motoriug publir