MOTOR CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19803, 31 May 1926, Page 8

MOTOR CONFERENCE.

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS. ROAD MAINTENANCE METHODS. (Pdh United Peebs Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 29, At the conference of the North and South Island Motor Unions the following motion carried: —“That this conference endeavour to have the law amended to take away the power from local bodies to impose speed restrictions, and that driving to the common danger be the only offence.” Remits were also adopted urging the Government to make the “off-side rule” compulsory for traffic at crossings; also that private companies and local bodies be asked to remove advertising road signs; that legislation be asked to compel all registered motor car owners to take out third-party risk; and urging that freight tates on motors between the islands be reduced.

Condemnation of the road maintenance methods was expressed by delegates. Ur A. E. Ansell (Dunedin) said that there were cases of waste and inefficiency occurring in the South Island. He moved—- “ That in view of the inefficiency of the road maintenance methods adopted by some county councils, the Main Highways Board be requested to instruct its engineers to undertake stricter supervision of works carried out on main highways. Mr H. J. Scott (Wellington) said that in the North Island the Highways Board was forcing county councils to do the work in a proper manner. The motion was carried. NEW REGULATIONS SUPPORTED. NO MODIFICATION URC*-D. A LABOUR RESOLUTION. (Pee United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, May 29. “That this council whole-heartedly endorses the motor omnibus regulations introduced by the Government, and strongly urges that no modification of the regulations as at present drafted should be acceded to by the Government, believing as we do that the regulations are in the interests of the people as a whole.” This motion was carried at the last meeting of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, following a lengthy discussion of the whole position. , The secretary of the council, Mr W. Bromley, stated that while the Trades Council was endorsing the regulations, which were undoubtedly aimed at putting private enterprise out of action, members felt conscious of the fact that they came into existence only to supply the need which should have been met, especially in Wellington, by the City Council before private enterprise came into it at all. Mr Monteith some time ago drew attention to the necessity of making provision for feeders to our tramway system, assur : ng_ the council that if that were not done private enterprise would do the job and would create serious competition with municipal enterprise. That statement was ridiculed, said Mr Bromley. Events had shown, however, that if the council had done the thin" in the first place a great deal of trouble would have been saved. Mr Bromley stated that the laxity of local bodies had almost compelled private enterprise to step in.