TRUCK SPEEDS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29330, 8 October 1960, Page 15

TRUCK SPEEDS

Alliance Seeks

Increase

(New Zealand Press Association) GREYMOUTH, October 7.

The New Zealand Road Transport Alliance at Greymouth today supported a 35 miles-an-hour speed limit for heavy vehicles. Three branches, Frankin, Gore and Manawatu, had put in remits calling for an increase to 40 miles an hour.

The chairman, Mr D. D. Merritt, of Nelson, told delegates that discussions in which he had represented the alliance had lei to some agreement about a 35 miles an hour limit, and the authorities concerned would not favour 40 miles.

Franklin and Gore delegates then amended their remit to read 35 miles an hour, but the Mana-' watu delegate said there should be no compromising.

Mr Merritt considered that if the alliance sought 35 miles _n hour it would hav more success. “If you stand out for 40 miles an hour, which the Ministry of Works and counties will not have, you could find the position left unchanged. If you miss the bus, don’t come blaming us.” ■ The amended remit was adopted by the conference Road Weight Restrictions The conference also adopted a Morrinsville remit which urged that the Alliance insist on the immediate adoption of the recommendations of the committee or road weight restrictions. A note to the remit said: “These long-overdue recommendations are of vital importance to the road transport industry as a whole, particularly those members operating on class HI roads. In some cases, the enforcement of 16 tons gross load limitation has long delayed the advent of the versatile and economical truck and trailer combination, and elsewhere has seriously hampered the efforts of operators equipped with thefn, and other heavy modern equipment. “The adoption of these recommendations would be of great assistance in the, coming seasons.” The conference also decided to take up the question of slow progress with the up-grading of roads, “in view Of the amount of money paid by the transport industry for roading.”