WEST COAST LORRYOWNERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 13

WEST COAST LORRYOWNERS

Mr. Semple Replies To Complaints

DEPARTMENT’S READINESS TO CO-OPERATE

“None of the cases complained of comes under the Transport Act,” said the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, when replying yesterday to the complaint that the Transport Department was “persecuting” owners of lorries on the West Coast.

“The cases involve certain sections of the Public Works Act which are enforced by traffic inspectors on behalf of the road controlling authorities,” the Minister said. “The purpose of the legislation is for the better preservation of the highways of the Dominion. It is in the interests of all road users that road surfaces should be kept jn the best possible condition, and with this end in view roads are classified according to their suitability for various loads. “This Government has done everything possible to reconcile the conflicting interests of operators and the road controlling authorities as far as road restrictions are concerned. In fact, as a result of a special conference 18 months ago, the gross laden weight restriction was entirely removed from multi-axled vehicles and was replaced by an axle limit of 4| tons, which is half a ton more than was provided in the original regulations. In the interests of other road users, and of the taxpayer who has to foot the bill for excessive road damage, it is essential that some protection be given to road surfaces.” Observance of Regulations. Mr. Semple said the regulations were there, and till they were amended it was the responsibility of the Transport Department to enforce them fairly, reasonably and without favour to any person or district. The department had no power to dispense with the observance of the regulations or to set one standard for one district and another for the rest of the Dominion. “Most operators feel that the proper enforcement of the regulations, provided it is unbiased, is a protection to them against an unscrupulous competitor,” the Minister continued. “It does not appear that the standard of enforcement of the regulations is more strict on the West Coast than elsewhere in New Zealand.

“The position of West Coast operators appears to be complicated by the fact that a number of them have contracted to transport an exceptionally large volume of timber to other districts. It has been said that it is difficult for them to comply both with the law and with their own contracts. I would suggest to them that they get in touch with the road controlling authority, who has power to grant permits for greater loads than those allowed by the road classification, and if the authorities do this, the operator has no need to worry so far as the traffic inspector is concerned. The matter is one, not for the Transport Department, but for the local bodies and the Main Highways Board.

Courtesy Of Inspectors.

“Regarding the complaint that traffic inspectors are not carrying out my policy of courtesy to all classes of road users, I may say that I have received hundreds of letters from motorists expressing appreciation of the tactful approach and the courteous manner of the Government traffic officers.

“Operators who think that the Transport Department is unduly strict in enforcing the law would be interested to know that more than 300 warnings for overloading were issued to operators last year, though every one of these could have been the basis for court proceedings. “In carrying out its duty of enforcing the regulations, the Transport Department wants to work in with operators to the greatest extent possible. Provided the West Coast operators make a reasonable effort to observe the regulations as operators in other parts of New Zealand are doing, they will find the Transport Department only too willing to co-operate with them.”