HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 August 1929, Page 4

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

REDUCTION OPPOSED. Objection to any reduction being made in heavy traffic license fees was voiced at the monthly meeting of the Waimate West County Council yesterday following the receipt of a questionnaire from Mr W. G. Walkley, secretary of the South Taranaki Automobile Association and organiser of the North Island Motor Union’s case against the move of the Master Carriers’ Federation- for a reduction in fees.

The chairman (Cr E. Long) said that if the Prime Minister wanted more traffic on the railways he should not countenance a reduction in heavy fees. Such a step would decrease the volume of railway traffic and increase the maintenance on the roads. It would Ire better for the country if there no heavy- lorries running on roads parallel with the railways.' The present lorry traffic between Wellington and Hawera and sections in between was detrimental to the interests of the country. The more lorries there were, the more money went out of the country, whereas with the railways- all that was wanted was produced within the country. He deplored the fact that Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., had told (lie counties’ conference at Eltliam that he was in sympathy with the carriers’ request. Cr .7. Leslie expressed agreement wilh the opinions expressed. The chairman thought that- the meeting should object to a reduction in heavy traffic fees.

Cr Leslie mentioned that Mr Wilkinson had said at his Kapnni meeting that he had got goods from Wellington to E-ltham l>v lorry- cheaper than lie could liy rail.

Cr Long: “The country has to pay the loss on the railways.”

The cleric was instructed to supply Mr "Walkley with the information sought by him.