LICENSING OF CARRIERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22514, 23 September 1938, Page 19

LICENSING OF CARRIERS

DEPARTMENTAL CONTROL OPINION OP CHRISTCHURCH ASSOCIATION Whether the licensing of city carriers should be vested with the Transport Department or be controlled by the municipal authorities as it is at present was the subject of a discussion at a meeting of the Christchurch Carriers’ Association last night. Mr P. H. Musgrove presided. Mr H. J. Knight, secretary of the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Association and secretary of ! the New Zealand Road Alliance, was also present at the meeting. Mr Knight said that legislation had been framed to bring the matter under departmental control. Carriers all 1 over the Dominion had discussed it and 1 the majority were in favour of national ' control, having regard for the improvements brought about since the Trans--1 port Licensing Act was passed in 1931. This act applied more particularly to passenger services, which were now s better in every respect. In the same way improvements could be made if i the city carriers were brought under I the control of a national system. The , speaker made it clear that he did not wish to influence the decision of the meeting, but the consensus of opinion of carriers throughout the Dominion definitely, favoured the change. There was a division of opinion in the discussion that followed Mr Knight’s remarks: but the majority were in favour of something better than the present system of municipal control. It was conceded that the • Christchurch City Council had done ’ much in the interests of city carriers, but- members- felt that departmental control would be more satisfactory. After further discussion the following resolution was carried:— “That the Transport Act be extended • to control the town carriers, but it s should be administered by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority*”-