MOUNTAIN OUT OF MOLE HILL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6812, 16 January 1929, Page 6

MOUNTAIN OUT OF MOLE HILL

MARTON NO CAUSE TO GROUSE.

Tho Palmerston North* Chamber of Commerce Council was presented yesterday with a clipping from the Kangitikei Advocate in which it was alleged that a Marton motorist was threatened by a Palmerston North traffic inspector with procscution for an offence against tho borough by-laws just because ho was a Marton resident and suggesting that it was an echo of the recent omnibus dispute. “It appears to me,” wrote Mr. A. C, M. Parkinson, of Marton, “that a mountain is being made out of a rnolohill.” He was a motorist frequently in Palmerston North and had always received every consideration and courtesy from the police and traffic inspectors though it was possible at times in ignorance he had transgressed some of tho by-laws. It was true tho Marton Borough Council had strongly protested against Marton being brought un'der the motor and omnibus regulations and he thought quite justly, but to suggest a rediculous regulation passed in the time of the now defeated government, should be used to frighten Marton people away from the shopping centre of Palmerston North, was unfair. Mr. Parkinson said he didn’t know tho person referred to but in fairness to the trades people of Palmerston North it should bo made clear that Marton people will still be welcomed in Palmerston North if they desire to shop there independent of any pussing friction that may have been caused in tho past over regulations over which neither the business men of Palmerston North nor tho motorists of Marton had any control. Palmerston North had nothing to do with Marton being in the bus area, remarked the chairman (Mr. M. A. Eliott). For Marton to make a fuss and say Palmerston North was responsible was entirely erroneous. As regards the motorist mentioned, his ear was not only facing the wrong way but it had no lights on as well.

Mr. Parkinson is to be thanked for his letter.