STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1927, Page 8

STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Telephone Nos. 552 Office 718 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

Telephone No*. 552 Office 718 Private

TARANAKI LOCAL BODIES

CONFERENCE AT ELTHAM MANY PROBLEMS DISCUSSED. OPERATIONS OF LABOUR AWARDS. A meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies' Association was held at Eltiiam yesterday, when representatives of the various borough and county councils of the province were present. The president (Mr. C. J. Belcher) presided. The association had written informing the Minister of Labour that at the annual meeting of the association it was decided to support the elimination of the “preference to unionists" clause in the Arbitration Act. A reply was received stating that the. views of the association would be given consideration when amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Acts were under review. The association then wrote to the Municipal Association asking whether a fund existed or was to be provided for in connection with contesting applications for labour awards. The reply stated that no such fund existed, but if any affiliated local body applied to the association to take action in the matter of any award, the executive had, without doubt, power to decide if such action should be taken. The same question was also sent to the New Zealand Counties' Association, and it also replied that no fund existed.

After the chairman had outlined the position as it affected county councils, Mr. F. E. Wilson (New Plymouth Borough Council) explained that the practice his council adopted whenever a dispute arose was to refer the matter to the local branch of the Employers’ Federation, through whom they had the right to expert advice. He pointed out that the affiliation fee was a comparatively small amount, and he moved that it be a recommendation to all local bodies to join the federation.

This motion was seconded by Mr. Winfield (Inglewood Borough Council), and was adopted’ after a brief discussion. FEES FOR OUTSIDE HEAVY TRAFFIC The New Plymouth Borough Council wrote informing the association that the following resolution had been passed by the council: “That as no provision is made under the Motor Lorry Regulations Act for the transfer of heavy traffic fees in cases where lorries had been transferred from one local authority district to another, the question be referred to the next meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association. Mr. Wilson explained that heavy lorries, particularly oil tank lorries, registered and paid their license fee in a distant district, but used the roads throughout Taranaki without contributing anything to the local revenues. He referred to the report in yesterday morning's Daily News of the decision of a magistrate in a Christchurch case, in which it was held that local licenses wore payable. “However," said Mr. Wilson, “the decision of one magistrate does not bind other courts.” He suggested that the matter be allowed to stand over in case a possible appeal was lodged. This course was approved by ‘the meeting. JOINT BY-LAWS. The Taranaki County Council advised that it was contemplating framing new by-laws and was bringing them into line with recent legislation. The county wished to ascertain, before taking the matter in hand, if the association mem-

bers interested in the association’s joint by-laws proposed any alteration or amendment to them. If that was the ease, the Taranaki County Council thought it might be possible to join in, and adopt uniform by-laws for the whole of the highway district. Mr. Connett said his council recognised the benefit of uniform by-laws as between the various local authorities, but at the same time it had to be remembered that the joint by-laws were framed seven years ago, and needed amendment in one or two directions. For instance, of late years the question of the parking of cars had assumed more serious proportions; then again, quite a number of Acts of Parliament had been amended and similar amendments were necessary in the by-laws. Further, there had. been a number of regulations issued of recent years, and uniform by-laws were desirable to cover such matters as the control of eating houses, heavy traffic, etc.

The conference then went into committee to hear Mr, L. Weir (solicitor to the association) comment upon the by-laws and point out where amendments were necessary. Finally, it was agreed to appoint. Messrs J. B. Murdoch, S. Pitt and the chairman a sub-committee to report on the cost of revising the by-laws and, alternatively, to consider the advisability of re-framing them in toto. It was. further decided “that this meeting favours the Taranaki County Council becoming one of the group of local bodies contributing to the joint by-laws, the terms and conditions to be discussed at the next meeting. The Whangamomona County Council which so far has not joined the group, is to be advised of the decision regarding the inclusion of the Taranaki County. ENDORSEMENTS OF LICENSES. In connection with the establishment of a central authority for the compilation and distribution of records of endorsement of drivers’ licenses, Mr. Wilson moved that it be a recommendation to the Government that all clerks of courts distribute to all local bodies with licensing powers a list of the convictions against drivers in their courts. He pointed out that a driver who had had his license endorsed in Wellington could easily come to New Plymouth, for instance, and obtain another, unless the New Plymouth licensing authorities had. some record of his conviction. After some discussion it was decided to support the resolution. INSURANCE FOR MOTORISTS, The Dominion executive/ of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union forwarded as copy of the following resolutions which were passed by the Otago executive and. confirmed by the Dominion executive: (a) That in the interests of the public, the time has arrived when legislation should be passed, making it compulsory for every motorist to have a third party risk cover against accident. (b) That in the event of the third party risk becoming law, the Government collect the premium (flat rate) along with the registration fees, (e) That after paying the necessary claims and providing for reserves, the balance be handed to the Highways Board for road improvement. It was resolved to support the first two resolutions as long as the yearly premium did not exceed £1; but the third resolution was not supported. The Taranaki County Council'wrote asking that the conference discuss the question of the removal anil re-erection of railway signboards.

The matter arose from a decision of the District Highways Board to ask local authorities to undertake the removal of confusing warning notices on main roads, and to re-erect them at the actual junction of the side road over which the railway crossing ran.

Mr. Murdoch contended that the signboards were the property of the Railway Department, and it should be the duty of the department to undertake the reerection. He moved that the association should decline to subscribe to the cost of maintenance of these boards. Air. I. J. Bridger, on the other hand, pointed out that the signs were for the guidance and benefit of motorists and other users of the roads. He did not think the Railway Department would worry much it the signs were removed altogether. Other speakers mentioned that, at the time when representations were being made to have the signs erected, several local bodies entered into an agreement to keep the signs in good repair, and it was clearly their duty to effect the removal and re-erection. In any case, the cost involved was so small that the matter could not be regarded as vital. Mr. Murdoch’s resolution was lost on tlio voices, Mr. Connett saying that although the matter was not in itself of very great importance, it was throwing an additional liability on local bodies for which they were really not responsible. Ol’Hl II MATTERS DISCUSSED. Mr. Connett referred to the rough state .of the- roads at certain railway crossings in the province, and suggested that the local body interested should be invited to undertake the work, provided the Railway Department contributed towards the cost. Mr, Wilson, however, pointed out that the department had already shown a desire to have roadt over crossings attended to by local bodies, and had paid agreed amounts for the work. On the strength of this information, Mr. Connett withdrew a resolution he had framed to meet the circumstances. The proposed Noxious Weeds Amendment "Jill was read and its provisions approved by the association. GENERAL ITEMS. It is sometimes claimed that crew Zealand goods are not so durable as those imported from outside markets, yet in Mr. E. Carryer’s window is displayed a handsome rug of New Zealand manufacture which has been in constant use of for over 30 years, and even when placed cheek by jowl with this season’s output has apparently lost very little of its appearance.

During the meeting of the Local Bodies’ Association at Elthani yesterday, the question of by-laws cropped up, and one member complained bitterly against the 1£ miles per hour limit through small towns. Later on a discussion arose as to whether the association’s -future meetings should be held at 10 a.m. or not, and the aggrieved one wanted to know at what hour he would have to start from his home 30 miles away when he had to come through twelve villages. At yesterday’s conference of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association the secretary (Mr. W. J. Tristram) mentioned, in relation to the suggested compulsory third party insurance cover for motorists, that -the automobile association was moving with a view to getting the Government to add £1 to the annual fee for each license. This levy, he said, was calculated to bring in about £130,000, which fund would be devoted to covering all motorists against third party risks through accidents. He pointed out that only the third party risk was proposed to be covered, it being left to the motorist to insure his own ear against risks of fire, accident or theft-