HUTT COUNTY FORCES' THE PACE

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 124, 29 May 1922, Page 6

HUTT COUNTY FORCES' THE PACE

The problem of bad roads and a bad allocation of local, governmental responsibilities is/becoming more intense; and theVreport of the special, meeting of the Hutt County Council, published last week, indicates that the Council is determined to force the issue by closing its portion 'of the main roads to heavy-weight traffic. As things are, the Hutt County cuts across the arterial roads connecting Wellington > with the Manawatu and the Wairarapa; and the Hutt County Council complaijns that lands of little rateable value, within its jurisdiction, have to 'support roads that are damaged by the through traffic. Legislative reform of the situation has halted so long that something must be done by someone; so the Hutt County Council has passed a by? law prohibiting the passing of motor-lorries weighing over three tons. The City Council's milk lorries weigh eight tons, so the Mayor joined a deputation of motor people who appealed to the Council on Wednesday not to confirm the bylaw. After hearing the old, old story the Council decided to proceed to confirmation. Apparently the idea is that by pushing the motor business, and causing the motor business to push the Government, a remedy may be reached. This form of pressure by a local body seems to be somewhat on* the lines of " legislation by exhaustion," and the whole procedure is a remarkable commentary on the business .methods ai democracy as it is practised in this country. .'■.•'.-