SATISFACTION RECORDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27040, 26 March 1949, Page 8

SATISFACTION RECORDED

SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION CONSULTATIONS BEFORE FINAL DECISION PA TIMARU. Mar. 25. The rapidly deteriorating state of the main highways in New Zealand, particularly in the Nelson, Marlborough and Southland districts, was viewed with alarm by delegates at the half-yearly conference of the South Island Motor Union at Timaru. when a remit was read from the Canterbury Automobile Association that representations be made to the appropriate authorities concerning the maximum axle loads to be carried on the main highways. When it was pointed out by Mr E. Palliser (Wellington) that the chief engineer of the Main Highways Board, Mr F M. Hanson, had stated that it would cost £75,000,000 to bring the roads up to the standard required for carrying heavy loads, and that the Government would consult the t,wo motor unions before coming to a decision on the matter of axle loads, the remit was withdrawn in favour of an amendment which stated that the conference recorded its satisfaction that the Government would consult the South Island Motor Union and the North Island Motor Union before coming to a decision on the matter of axle loads, but would view with alarm any increase in taxation of the private motorist to meet the cost of a higher standard of construction for the use of a small percentage of road users.