MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC CESSES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2695, 13 July 1923, Page 4

MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC CESSES.

LOCAL BODIES EXERCISE POWERS. HEAVY BLOW TO OWNERS. A meeting of the members of the Manawatu and West Coast Motor Transport Association was held at Palmdrston North on Wednesday. Mr ;F. J. Patten presided over a good attendance. The chairman reported that he and Messrs S. J. and P. Havill had waited upon the Hutt County Council at its meeting on Monday last, and approached it to ascertain whether any j compromise could be arranged in connection with the Heavy Traffic By-law recently exercised by the Council. At the present time, and, if nothing could be arranged between them, up to the end of September ,the members of the Association would be, unemployed. The majority of the Association’s members earned their livelihood on the Palmerston North district to Wellington route. They would appreciate it if the Council could see its way to fix the limit of the load during the I winter months at a higher weight than I the present three tons, including vehi|cle. In any arrangement which could ! be made, the Association would do its ■ utmost to assist the Council. As it was at present, the members, amongst whom were a number of returned soldiers, had to face the question of i heavy liabilities Incurred in the pur- | chase of their lorries, and would not be able to meet these if no assistance I was forthcoming during the months of Unforced idleness. | The Council had enquired whether the Association’s members were in a j position to contribute anything toj wards the upkeep of the road, but the ' speaker had replied that they were in such a position that they could not make an offer. Since the interview, a reply had been received from the County Council that .it could do nothing on account of the high cost of upkeep of the roads, and recommended the Association again to approach the Government for assistance. Information was received that both the Horowhenua and Makara County Councils intended to exercise their powers under the By-law in question and close the roads under their control. The position practically meant total cessation of all heavy traffic to Wellington until the restrictions were lifted at the end of September. On a motion by Mr McCallum, representing the N.Z. Express Co., seconded by Mr Patten, it was resolved that the secretary communicate with Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., enquiring whether Mr Massey had been in touch with the Minister of Public Works as promised at the deputation, and if so with what result. On a motion of Mr Patten, seconded by Mr N. I. Brown, it was decided that the secretary inform the various Councils concerned that the Association had decided not to operate on any road until the restriction was removed: also forwarding a list of the Association’s members, .and asking that the Council deal with any other of•ndor violating the by-law. The secretary was alsv. -equested to advertise the Association's resolution to conform to the By-law notifying the public that traffic to Wellington in so far as the Association’s members were concerned ,had ceased until the restrictions were lifted. A further meeting is to be called for Saturday, July 21st, to adopt the Articles of the Association, which were now being drafted and to arrange a canvass for membership to kindred Associations in other districts. A resolution was also passed expressing the Association’s gratitude to the “Manawatu Daily Times’’ foi the interest taken in the matter.