ROAD TRANSPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1939, Page 9

ROAD TRANSPORT

IN EVENT OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY. SURVEY TO BE MADE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The intention of the Government to have an investigation made into the organisation of road transport in New Zealand to ensure that it will bo in a position to function smoothly and efficiently in the event of a national emergency was announced by the Minister of Transport. Mr Semple, in an interview last evening. A tribute was paid by the Minister to road transport operators who had already offered to place their organisations at the disposal of the Government in the event of war.

“I have laid emphasis recently on the important part which would be played by good roads in the defence of this Dominion if an invader reached our shores, and that defence bulked large in the Government’s road modernising , policy,” said Mr Semple. “If we are to get the best use out of our roads in a time of national peril, it is necessary to make sure that our enormous fleet of all classes of motorvehicles is properly organised for any emergency. We are now the second most highly ‘motorised’ country in the world, and we have a fleet of motorvihicles which is as up-to-date and efficient as any other in the world. “The fact that now we have enough passenger motor-vehicles to carry at the one time every man, woman and child in the country gives some indication of the possible value of motorvehicles in an emergency. “Certain arrangements have already been made relating to the organisation of all forms of transport in an emergency, and it is now proposed to push ahead with an investigation into the organisation of road transport to ensure that it- will be in a position to function smoothly and efficiently in any emergency.

“It may be necessary to seek the co-operation of road transport and motoring organisations and, if- so, I am certain that this will be readily given. I would like, in this connection, to pay a tribute to those road transport operators who have already offered to place the whole of their 'organisations at the disposal of the Government in the event of war.

“The Government is fully alive to the wonderful asset we have for defence purposes in our roads, motorvehicles, and other equipment. My job is to see that we are in a position to make the very best possible use of this asset when called upon. The public of this Dominion may rest assured that I shall spare no effort in completing the job as quickly as possible.”