HEAVY TRAFFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 9

HEAVY TRAFFIC

ALLOCATION OF FEES MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL OBJECTS EXCLUSION OF FARMERS' LORRIES A formal objection to the decision arrived at by the recent conference of local bodies at Wanganui as to the allocation of the heavy traffic pool, was received from the Marton Borough Council at last night's meeting of the Wanganui City Council. Thq Marton Council suggested that no payments should be made from the pool until the local bodies concerned have reconsidered the matter, either by way of correspondence or another conference.

“We consider,” stated the letter, “that the Patea County Council has no moral or legal right to refuse to collect heavy traffic fees from farmers operating within its district and at the same time collect its full share from the pool, particularly as the four other county councils concerned have carried out their obligations imposed by law and regulations.” The Marton Council was impressed with the suggestion that some substantial concession should be made to farmers who conduct their own lorries and agreed that a 25 per cent, or 33 1-3 per cent allowance should be made. The council also suggested tha. representations should be made to the Minister of Transport to have the concession granted and it made mandatory on all local bodies to collect the fees on the reduced scale. The Mayor, Mr. W. J. Rogers, said that copies of the letter had been sent to the contributing local bodies. It was possible that another conference of local bodies would have to be convened.