ROADS V. RAILWAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 710, 9 July 1929, Page 8

ROADS V. RAILWAYS

MR. STERLING RETURNS FROM CONFERENCE AUSTRALIAN PROBLEMS Australia is faced with the same motor-transport competition as New Zealand. Splendid roads are being constructed there and these are affecting railway traffic. Mr. H. H. Sterling, general manager of tlie New Zealand Railways, returned to New Zealand this morning by the Ulimaroa, after attending a conference of railway authorities at Adelaide, and made the above comment. During his stay in Australia he visited South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and made it .his business to see as many people as possible who were engaged in the transport business. At the railway conference every phase of railway policy was fully discussed, including the present position regarding motor-transport competition. Mr. Sterling will later report to the Minister of Railways on the subject. Australia is feeling the strain regarding motor competition, he said this morning. Everyone realises that cut-throat .competition is of no use, neither to the individual nor to the State, and officials are exercising their energies toward finding a solution to the present problems. Co-ordinated effort Is what is required. Australia is spending a great deal of money on her roads, much as New Zealand is doing. It was felt that in the transport industry more of a “get together” spirit should be developed with a view to stabilising the industry and bringing it to a more solid foundation. Mr. Sterling explained to the Australians how work was proceeding in New Zealand and what the Dominion was doing to co-ordinate the various methods of transport.