MOTOR VEHICLES.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17410, 24 May 1928, Page 3

MOTOR VEHICLES.

THE FIXING OF SPEEDS. RESTRICTION OF POWERS. PROTEST FROM COUNTY COUNCILS At its meeting yesterday the Raglan County Council considered a circular communication from the Waipa County Council which voiced an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in passing regulations of a nature which restrict the powers of county councils to make by-laws fixing the speed limit of motor vehicles for the purpose of preserving the roads. It was further advocated that representations be made to tbe Minister of Public Works, through members of Parliament, to enact an amendment lo tbe Public Works Act enabling local authorities to make by-laws restricting the speed of motor vehicles for the purpose of preserving the surface of all roads and Main Highways situated in counties. What Regulations Have Done. It was further m.yntained that the regulations had wiped out ail by-laws regulAf.ig speed, notwithstanding that such by-laws may have been held by Uie Supreme Court, to be reasonable and within the powers of county councils. It would appear that those responsible for the framing of the regulation had either no respect for the opinion of members of county councils and county engineers who, the framers of the circular claimed, must surely know the requirements of their own district, or were being dictated to by other ■organisations. A Right That Was Due. When Ihe matter came up for consideration the chairman (Cr. Campbell Johnstone) said that Waipa were taking action along the right lines. In stating that service drivers were a menace lo the other users of the road, the speaker maintained that local authorities should have the right to fix the speed of vehicles. The chairman moved that support be given Lo Waipa’s request and Cr. Martyn seconded the motion. Mr Furniss thought that while each local body should have the right, advocated the limit of speed should not be too low. What was desired was uniformity in the matter, within certain limits. The motion was carried without dissent. ______________