More Haste, More Speed.
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ORDER HAS YET to be evolved from the present chaos of regulations and recommendations that are nowadays current with regard particularly to the weight limits, laden and unladen, of motor vehicles that are to be legally designed and employed. It is sincerely to be hoped that, in the end, we shall be favoured with a new set of regulations in which the confusion of exceptions will, so. far as possible, be avoided. In the process of evolving these anticipated new weight limits, there is sure to be encountered nmeh opposition to any proposed amelioration of conditions, so far as the operation of road vehicles is concerned. Particularly, too, we may expect to find strong arguments in favour of the strict limitation of speeds, such limitations to be based on the alleged inability of the roads to stand up to the work. Any such argument must be combated with rigour; it is based on false premises, and, if successful, is calculated to result in national economic loss.
To an inconceivable extent, to-clay, do we depend on the, efficiency and speed of transport, upon the ease of circulation. The threadbare slogan, Transport is the' life of trade" is more than ever applicable. -Trade is in a. parlous state enough on account of lirisitation of Manufacturing output. Further restriction due to the diffieulty of delivering the raw material or the finished goods may well result in national disaster. Every effort must, therefore be made to bring about conditions that will facilitate increased speed, on the roads and elsewhere. Speed is all sisse.ntial and can be attained safely and economically, if adequate safeguards be taken. The roads must, once and for all, be made suitable for faster and heavier traffic. We are .now informed of extraordinary and involved subsidy arrangements to enable goods to be carried by coastwise steamers -with greater frequency. No subsidy, as such, is necessary to eneourage.the use of the roads. But it is necessary to do away with conditions of foundation and surface which limit the speed of goods haulage on the common highway.
More haste, more speed, is what. is required in these new conditions. We mast no longer listen to those who claim the unsuitability of the roads for high speed. The roads must be made suitable'. It is now a case of national necessitz