CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 January 1931, Page 2

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ACT PROTECTION OF RAILWAYS Now that tlie Traffic Act Amendment Act, 1930, has been proclaimed in Western Australia, and is in operation, the Minister of Works, Mr J. Lindsay, has pointed out the main provisions of the measure. Owners are now better protected against “joy riders,” the fine having been increased from £SO to £IOO, and punishment from three to 12 months’ imprisonment. By far the most important amendment, as far as the Government is concerned, is that regarding additional licence fees that will have to be paid for commercial use of merchandise waggons and trailers for tlie carriage of goods on certain main roads outside the metropolitan area. The object of this provision is to ensure that goods used for commercial purposes carried over roads running in a similar direction to railways shall not escape payment of a fair and reasonable charge toward the cost and maintenance of these very expensive roads. Parliament has provided that vehicles used for the carriage of goods will not include, for instance, those carrying the produce of ore from mines, timber and similar products from the place of production to farms or forests, farming requisites, the nearest railway station.