HEAVY TRAFFIC.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18217, 30 October 1924, Page 8

HEAVY TRAFFIC.

CONTROL BILL INTRODUCED IN HOUSE.

(SHECIAL TO "THZ FBXSS.")

WELLINGTON, October 29

A Public Works Act Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives this evening was briefly explained by the Minister (Hon. J. G, Coates). He said it.dealt principally with heavy traffic by-laws, and was the natural corollary to the Motor Vehicles Bill.

There was a provision in it to give local bodies power to license vehicles of a capacity over two tons, and not exceeding ten tons. Tho license would carry them over a wide area to be arranged by the contiguous local bodies. In cases where there were boroughs, town boards, and county councils side by side it provided for one set of by-laws over the extended areas that might be mutually arrangedThese bodies could issue licenses and charge £5 for vehicles of two tons, and for vehicles over two tons but not exceeding ten tons, up to £75. This would exclude tho importation of lorries of a greater capacity than ten tons. '

Thero was provision for the classification, by Order-in-Council, of certain roads in New Zealand, so that only a certain weight could be carried over them. This would give local bodies the opportunity in the meantime of getting regulations or Orders-in-Council drafted. Later on Parliament could deal comprehensively with the matter and place on the Statute Book the weights that motor vehicles could carry.

The Bill had been asked for by every local body in the Dominion. There were other clauses mainly clearing up certain matters in connexion with administration.