TRANSPORT BILL PASSES

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 16

TRANSPORT BILL PASSES

CONTENTIOUS GLAUSES DROPPED LPee Ukited Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 13. In the House of Representatives the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, moved the second reading of the Transport Law Amendment Bill, and the House agreed to give the Bill its second reading without discussion so that the amendments to the measure proposed by the Minister could be explained in committee. In committee on the Bill, Mr Semple said that, in view of the opposition to certain clauses, the Government was ■ prepared to make considerable amendments. It was proposed to drop the clauses dealing with drivers’ licenses, application of fees, and to drop reference to the registration of bicycles. Mr Semple said it was proposed to amend the clause dealing with road traffic by providing that traffic districts should not comprise an area in excess of lo miles from the post office of the borough in that area. It was also proposed to drop the danse giving the Minister power to prohibit the closing of roads by local bodies. Under existing circumstances, said Mr Semple, it was' necessary that the legislation dealing with goods services, taxi services, and ancillary users should come into effect forthwith, and the commencing date relating to these services had therefore been eliminated. In consequence of dropping the clause dealing with the issue of drivers’ license fees, all would admit it was only reasonable and fair that these moneys should be largely used for traffic enforcement, r.nd he proposed to arrange for circulars to be sent to all the counties placing the position before them. It was expected that a satisfactory response would be received from local bodies. The Bill was reported back from committee as amended by the Supplementary Order Paper, and passed its third reading without further discussion.