LORRY OWNERS’ MEETING

Northland Age, Volume II, Issue 35, 3 September 1930, Page 5

LORRY OWNERS’ MEETING

A meeting of motor vehicle owners of Kaitaia and district was held in the library hall on Friday evening last. There was a good attendance and the meeting was opened by the electing of Major Mackesy as chairman.

Major Mackesy thanked those present for the honour they had conferred upon him by voting him to the chair, and then proceeded to outline the objects for which the meeting had been called.

He stated that they had been called together to decide whether the time had not yet arrived when thev should unite and form themselves into a branch of an association whose objects were as follows: — (a) To exercise a close supervision over proposed legislation affecting vehicular traffic transport, and the operations and effects of existing Laws ; to make representations in the proper quarters with a view to influencing and amending present and prospective legislation, and to take such other action as mav be necessary to conserve the legitimate interests of vehicle owners. (b) To educate public opinion as to the trend and the effect of legislation affecting vehicular transport on the welfare of the industries and trades of the Dominion,!

(c) To advise and assist members when called upon regarding the operation of Legislation, Local Body By-laws, etc., affecting vehicular transport, to take such action as may be necessary, and to bear such expenditure in connection therewith as may be authorised in accordance with the Rules.

(d) To take such other steps as may from time to time be deemed expedient or necessary in the interests of vehicle owners.

Continuing, he said that in view of the fact that this district was solely dependent on motor transport, he felt that some effort should be made to become affiliated with an association whose aims would prove advantageous not only to themselves as motor lorry owners, but to the community as a whole. At this juncture he placed the matter open for discussion. Mr. C. A. McCarthy was the first to present his views on the subject, and from his remarks and figures quoted, it could be plainly seen that the motor in dustry in this district was being heavily handicapped by an unfair classification of roads. There appears, from the figures quoted by Mr. McCarthy, to be 9ome 58 roads in the county, and out of this total, upon four roads only may they carry a load weighing up to 4 V2 tons, this load including the weight of the truck. Upon the remaining 54 they are limited to 2% tons which load also includes the weight of the truck. To support further his appeal tor the re-classification of the roads in the county he maintained that the majority of the roads referred to were metal covered roads. The speaker concluded his remarks by quoting one case which certainly seems remarkable. A lorry leaving Kaitaia for Ahipara with a load of 4 Vz tons must, under the existing restrictions, stop at Wainui junction, remove half its load, and then proceed, for in spite of the fact that the road does not alter the slightest in its formation, the road from Wainui Junction to Ahipara is classified as a fifth class road.

If this statement is true, then

surely there is urgent need for attention to the matter of road classification.

Mr. Taaffe in supporting the views expressed by the previous speaker, said that he telt that great credit was due to the previous speaker, for the endless trouble he had gone to in calling the meeting, and for the valuable information which he had collected. Mr. Taaffe, continuing, said that whilst he was not out for drastic changes, he certainly was convinced that they should form a local branch of the Auckland Provincial Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association. He pointed out that under the existing conditions the farmers themselves were penalised and paid indirectly for the burdens that were placed on the shoulders of the motor lorry owners. In strongly supporting the forming of the branch, he said he did so, not with a view of any antagonistic feelings towards the local authorities, but merely with a view of becoming affiliated with an association whose powers would enable to bring about improvements which would be for the benefit of the whole settlers of the district.

Mr Mitchell next expressed his approval of the proposal placed before the meeting and in reiterating the sentiments of Mr. Taaffe wished it to be clearly understood that in supporting the motion he did so not with a feeling that once having become a member of the association they would be able to adopt a defiant attitude where local administration was concerned.

He supported the motion because he realized that the districts of the Far North were dependent on motor transport and realized that any hardships that were unjustly imposed upon them would ultimately react upon the people of the district. After several other speakers voiced their opinion on the matter of forming a branch of the association, it was unanimously agreed that a branch of the Auckland Provincial Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association, to be known as the Mangonui County Branch, be formed.

The final stages of the meeting was devoted to the appointing of an executive committee, a secretary and a to deciding' the extent of the annual subscription. The executive which was formed as a result of a ballot resulted in the appointment of Messrs. W. B. Beard, O. Werner, V. G. Kitchen, Mr. C. A. McCarthy was appointed secretary. The annual subscription was fixed at 15s; ten shillings being the actual fee of the association, the remaining 5s to be utilised to defray the expenses incurred in the administration of the work of the Branch. •

Prior to the close ot the proceedings, it was agreed to hold the next meeting on Friday 26th September. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.