MOTOR REGULATIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 8

MOTOR REGULATIONS

HASTINGS TOO STRICT?

DISCUSSION BY BUSINESS MEN

At the meeting of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce last night, a discussion arose regarding restrictions on the libberty of motor-car owners by the Borough Council in their bylaws. It was considered that some of the by-laws w-ere such that they allowed one no liberty at all. Mr. Hallett pointed out that Mr. Mason Chambers, who has just returned to New Zealand, had said that, in England, the liberty of tho subject was not hampered, so long as other people’s rights were not interfered with. At the same time, Hastings was not entirely to blame for the by-laws, which were the sum" as were in force through other towns through New Zealand. Mr. Harvey considered that there were too many officials, who had new ideas and there were far too many restrictions. He thought the position might be relieved if the Borough Council was approached with the object of pointing out to them the unreasonableness of some of the regulations

The president agreed with Mr. Harvey that the public were burdened with too many public officials, which had become a nuisance. Mr. C. Duff considered that n bylaw should be reasonable nnd beneficial. For instance, what nossiblo objection could there be to driving a car through the town for advertising purposes? Mr. Hallett (smiling): Probably the newspapers are at the bottom of it. Mr. Harvey informed the meeting that Hastings had a name through the country as a town for restrictions.

Mr. Hallett explained that an effort was being made to have a set of uniform motor vehicle regulations to govern every town in the Dominion and at present copies of these proposed by-lnws were in eirenlation and were being considered by the Automobile Association.

Mr. Aiderman: We have put up signs “Welcome to Hastings.” and the first thing that happens is the visitor is lined. The matter then lapsed.