WESTERN TRANSPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1929, Page 9

WESTERN TRANSPORT.

ALARM OF RESIDENTS.

NEW BIL& RESTRICTIVE.

BUS SERVICES VITAL.

There is a strong feeling of uneasiness throughout the western suburbs over the possible' effects of the Transport. Law Amendment Bill now.before the House of Representatives, and it was voiced yesterday afternoon to Mr. IT. G. R. Mason, the member for the district, by a deputation ■ representing-all the districts affected—Messrs. C. F. Gardner (Mayor of New Lynn), W. Leighton, G. Lawson, W. Martin, A. Bishop, and the town clerk of New Lynn (Mr. J. H. Reich). The deputation represented New Lynn, Henderson, Glen Eden and Titirangi. , . It was exp:aincd to Mr. Mason that when the bus transport t came, western districts, like Xew Lynn, went ahead by leaps and bounds, but .the progress was checked when private enterprise was muzzled by the Transport "Act. According to the deputation's reading of .the bill it would give the Railway Department . or the local authority providing transport service an unfair advantage over the private individual in the same line of business. The deputation pointed out several sections in the bill which it was thought made it doubtful whether impartiality would be shown, such for instance- by the licensing authorities and the appeal board.' Above all, the restrictive powers of the licensing authority gave the deputation anuneasy feeling, that the western districts might again be. left to the mercy, of the Railway Department, under whose system of transport the districts remained stagnant for so many- years. With motor, bus transport, not hampered by restrictions, rapid growth of population followed, but since the passing of the restrictive. Motor Omnibus Act, of 1926, the districts had gone. back in a marked manner. The districts wanted relief from the present .Act, but considered that the bill would simply throw them back into the arms of the Railway Department. ' , ■' , Mr. Mason said he quite realised that the matter of transport was vital to the districts represented by the deputation, and promised that he would give thei: - representations his best consideration. As the bill had been, brought down

hurriedly, and not in a manner that gave the House much information as to its object, he had not yet mastered it, but would ,do so, and could assure the deputation that he' would examine closely the points raised. As a matter of fact lie did not think there was much chance of the bill becoming law during the present session. ' Legislation had gone on in a very leisurely manner hitherto, and, as far as be could judge, there would not be much acceleration. He understood that it was intended - to refer the bill to a committee, and he felt sure that would not get it through the House this session. • :

MOUNT EDEN TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING.

The Transport Law Amendment Bill was mentioned at the meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council last eveuing. Mr. J. M. Melville thought a protest should be made against putting so much power in the hands of the Transport Department as the bill proposed. The council decided to hold a - special ! meeting tomorrow to-discuss 'the bill and draw up criticism, which will be sent' to the member for the district.