PUBLIC WORKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 11

PUBLIC WORKS

PASSING OF ESTIMATES OVER 020,000,000 INVOLVED TK A NAP* HIT I, E<! ISLATTON THIRD READING (T*er Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, moved the second reading of the Transport Law Amendment Bill* in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The House agreed to give the bill its second reading without discussion so that amendments to the measure as proposed by the Minister, could be explained in committee. In committee on the bill, Mr. Semple mid 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, the application of fees, and to drop the reference to the registration of bicycles.

The bill was under discussion in committee when the House adjourned. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Further explaining the amendments to the bill when discussing the first clause of the measure in committee, 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 15 miles from the post office of the borough in that area. It was also proposed to drop the clause giving the Minister power to prohibit the closing of roads by local bodies. Dropping of Clause Under the existing circumstances, said Mr. Semple, it was necessary that legislation dealing with goods services, taxi services, and ancillary users should come into effect forthwith and the commencing date relating to these services, therefore, had been eliminated.

In consequence of dropping the clause dealing with the issue of drivers' license fees, said Mr. Semple, all would admit that it was only reasonable and fair that these moneys should be largely used far traffic enforcement and he proposed to arrange for circulars to be sent to all 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 the committee as amended by a supplementary order paper and passed the third reading without further discussion.

The House then went into committee of supply to consider the Public Works Estimates.

The total estimates, including £15,000.000 odd in the public works fund and £5,000,000 for the main highways account, making a total of £20.208,200. were passed in an hour and 25 minutes and the House rose at 10.30 p.m.