ROAD TRANSPORT LICENSING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 84, 20 August 1948, Page 4

ROAD TRANSPORT LICENSING

Sir, —I, with many others, will have received notice from the Secretary of the Whakatane branch of the New Zealand Road Transport one particular item that is to be discussed at the annual meeting "Consideration of applications to be heard before No. 1 Licensing Authority on August 17." The discussion will no doubt hover found the question as to whom licenses should be granted. As regards the granting of these licenses, I wish to emphasise the importance of consideration due to returned men and on behalf of those in our district, it is for your branch to see that these men get a fair hearing. We have instances in this district where civilians have a monopoly. One in particular, who has

two lorries doing local carting, two more carting for the Public Works Department. Yet we have a returned soldier who cannot get a license for one lorry. Whilst it is admitted Transport Boards are endeavouring to distribute licenses fairly and evidently they are not in possession of the facts in many applications. These unknown facts open the gate to criticism. In considering applications, c'vilian and returned soldier, there i_ no equality. New Zealand and her people owe those men a debt that the future can only pay by consideration. No monopoly should exist where a soldier wants. Now Whakatane, you in other spheres show splendid loyalty and much of the Bay of Plenty thrives from it. Surely you can spare an extra effort for the deserving. Yours etc., FREEDOM.