TRAFFIC ON ROADS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 15 July 1936, Page 8

TRAFFIC ON ROADS

NEW BILL COMMENDED. BY MANAWATU COUNCIL. Commendation of the action of the Minister of Transport ' (Hon. it. Semple) in bringing forward the provisions contained in the Transport Amendment Bill was expressed qt the monthly meeting, yesterday, of tne Manawatu County Council. A copy of the Bill was received from the Minister, with a covering letter pointing out the loss of lile caused in New Zealand by motor acudentSj p err ' e tt commended the action the Minister was proposing to take in introducing the Bill. Statements bad been made that the suggested 3U miles an hour restriction through boroughs and town districts was too low, but the speaker thought the rate was ample. , Cr. J. Boyce commented that speeds on many roads were too high, and accident could easily happen, he had had actual experience- of that at the intersection ot No. 4 Line with llangitikei Line. , . , Several councillors agreed that high speeds were dangerous on many roads. Cr. A. N. Moreom moved that the council approve of the Bill and compliment the Minister on his efforts to bring about national control. Cr. 11. A. Wilson seconded the motion, which was carried. Cr. Boyce moved that a suggestion be made to limit all speeds to 40 miles an hour. Cr. D. W. Reid seconded the moCr. Moreom said he had experienced the most dangerous drive in his hie in a trip he had made to Wanganui with a mail who had said lie did not travel above 25 miles an hour, lhat was so—but he had not travelled at less than that, it was better to do 50,miles an hour on suitable roads and 15 in other places. , . The ’ chairman (Cr. W. E. Barber) said that it would uot be wise to pursue Cr. Boyce’s motion. In England and America there were roads on which certain speeds had to be maintained. Under some circumstances high speed was called lor and it would be better if the council refrained from expressing an opinion as to a maximum when the council "as not in possession of all the iacts relating to traffic control. Cr. Perrett said that, a man who broke the law by speeding should have his engine locked down to 2o miles an hour for six months, lhat would punish the guilty man and no others. The resolution was withdrawn, several councillors expressing the opinion that although speeds should be reasonable tin * should not be arbitrarily fixed.