MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2657, 10 November 1923, Page 1

MOTOR LORRY TRAFFIC

MINISTERIAL REPLY TO Af ANA - IVATII COUNTY.

The question of the competition of motor lorries with the railways was revived at Tuesday’s meeting of the Mnnawatn County Council, when a letter was received from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. <J. Q. Coates, in reply to the council’s letter of October 2, drawing attention to the large amount of benzine carried by road between Foxton and Palmerston N., and also pointing out that wool, butter and cheese were being carried to Wellington by motor lorries cheaper than by rail, which the council considered was the result of the delay in amending the railway tariff rates. The Minster stated that he had given the question a good deal of consideration and from investigations made he had not yet been able to establish the fact that the railway charges were unreasonable, having regard to the services rendered, but he wished it to be understood that no definite decision had been arrived at in connection with the carriage of the commodities referred to in the council’s letter. It. was, however, apparent in all parts of the Dominion that, heavy motor traffic was very seriously affecting the roads, but he did not think that the problem could be solved bj 7 simply reducing railway freights. As a matter of fnct,„an adequate system of taxation which would result in those using the roads paying for their maintenance was now generally accepted throughout as being the most reasonable course of action to be taken. Relative to the revision of the tariff, a. large amount of data had been collected and the matter would be more fully dealt with at an early date. The letter was received.