TRANSPORT BILL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1939, Page 9

TRANSPORT BILL

PASSED IN AN AMENDED FORM., REGISTRATION OF BICYCLES DROPPED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Important amendments to the Transport Law Amendment Bill were announced by the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, when the -second reading stage on the measure -was resumed in the House cf Representatives yesterday. These were made as a result of consultation with members of .the Opposition with a view to facilitating the Bill’s passage through, the House with the minimum of delay. Mr Semple said it was proposed to drop the clause providing for mofordrivers’ licenses to be issued by registrars or postmasters and the clause providing that fees collected should be paid into the Consolidated Fund. The provision for the .registration of bicycles was also to be withdrawn. The clause dealing with road traffic was to be amended by providing that traffic district sshould 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. “Under existing circumstances it ii necessary and desirable that the legislation dealing with goods services, taxi services and the ancillary user should come into effect forthwith and the commencing date has therefore been eliminated,” Mr Semple said. “In connection with the dropping'of the clause dealing with drivers’ licence fees, all admit that it is only reasonable and fair that these moneys should be largely used for traffic enforcement, and I propose to arrange for circulars to be sent to all countries placing the position before them. It is expected that a satisfactory response will be received from the local bodies.” The Bill was read a second time without further discussion. In Committee Mr Holland (Opposition, Christchurch North) expressed appreciation of the conciliatory man-1 ner in which the Minister had met theOpposition. The Opposition, he thought the Minister would agree, had been very reasonable in its requirements. On behalf of some 40.09 to 50.000 cyclists in Christchurch and Mid-Canterbury he expressed appreciation of the withdrawal of the registration proposal. The Bill as amended was passed.