BIG PROGRAMME

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20737, 22 February 1939, Page 8

BIG PROGRAMME

DOMINION’S ROADS STRATEGIC WORK PROCEEDING FOLLOWING GERMANY’S EXAMPLE (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AWANUI, Tuesday Reference to defence was made to- 1 day by the Minister of Public Works, the lion. R. Semple. The Government, he said, had been worried over the lack of preparations and its llrst action had been to ask the British Government for the services of an aviation expert to advise it.. In consequence Group-Captain the Hon. R. A. Cochrane had been loaned to the Dominion some two years ago. He had made a study of the const line and he had recommended that the first line of defence should be in the air. This entailed the construction of aerodromes and emergency landing grounds, continued Mr Semple. The work, which also had its commercial aspect, was proceeding rapidly and the air was not the only line of defence, but it was the first line. The best way to resist invasion was to attack the enemy 400 miles out at sea and “give him a dip in the briney.” New Roadlng System The new roading system had a military aspect, as well as an economic and safety aspect, said the Minister. The bombing of tlie cities by enemy air-craft would be attempted by an invading or raiding force. Wellington had a comparatively narrow road outlet to the north, a road with 48 dangerous curves. To evacuate Wellington in the event of a bombing a Hack would probably take days over this highway. Over the one now being constructed the task would be reduced to hours. Good roads were essential to the defence system of any country. When Herr Hitler came to power in Germany the first thing he did was to revolutionise the roading system of the country. His roading system had been designed for both internal defence and external attack. A British delegation that had inspected it had reported that the roading system of Britain was out of date. Herr Hitler had realised at the outset of his career that he could not attempt to dictate to he world wihout a reading system fit to. carry modern power transport. New Zealand, in its small way, must follow the lesson learned from Germany by England, concluded the Minister.