ZONING CRITICS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 6

ZONING CRITICS

"THESE WISEACRES"

TRANSPORT OF BEER

Criticism levelled at the Transport Department's zoning arrangements for road transport of goods was referred to by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, to-day. "I want to inform these wiseacres that the position has been forced on the country," he said.

"It is due solely to the rubber position. That is something over which New Zealand has no control. If the critics want a scapegoat they should concentrate their hatred on the Japs or the Malayan rubber kings who held on to supplies until the enemy came and helped itself." Mr. Semple said that zoning schemes took time and patience to put into full operation. What was proposed was rational. If a haphazard scheme were inaugurated hundreds of people would be injured seriously and many businesses ruined. Reasonable methods had been introduced and nothing decided without intelligent investigation. No Compulsion Yet _ "So far I have not used compulsion," he said. have spoken to interested people throughout New Zealand on the subject, including representatives of transport organisations. I have acquainted them with the position and asked them to get together and put their houses in order. I have been met with 100 per cent goodwill and co-operation. Zoning and pooling committees have been set up throughout the country. A zoning officer for the South Island and one for the North Island have been appointed and it may be necessary to appoint a second officer in the North Island."

Referring to the transport of beer, Mr. Semple said it had been suggested that the Government had no power to interfere with the trade.

"We have power to zone every commodity where zoning is necessary," he continued. The beer problem was now under consideration. He would treat the breweries as he had treated other business concerns. He would ask their representatives to meet him in conference with a view to evolving a scheme to save useless carriage. "If the scheme submitted by the breweries meets with approval it will be accepted," he added. "If it does not go all the way we will take it the rest of the distance. We are trying everywhere to work amicably without wielding the big stick, and so far we have succeeded."