STRONG STAND URGED

Chronicle (Levin), 3 October 1946, Page 8

STRONG STAND URGED

Objection in the strongest terms wa? taken at ,the annual meeting of the New Zealand Road Transport Allianee today, to that part of the Government 'e future transport policy providing foi "public ownership and operation of road transport services in those cases where such is necessary and desirable in the public interest." Speakers declared that tliis feature of the statement by the Minister of Transport, Mr. O'Brien, was plainly linked with the Government's policy of ultimate soeialisation of the industry and thal the matter was oue in which a firm stand should be taken in eooperatioxi with otlier major organisations. The following motion by; Mr. D,

Witliers, of Wairoa, was carried unanimously: — "That the licensed transport industry has been responsible for providing adequate and efficient transport since New Zealand 's infancy and had at all times met' every possible eontingency. We feel we are still capable of providing all facilities necessary to maintain an economic transpOrt system in this country and see no reason or advantage why the Government should endeavour to nationalise the industry. Therefore this conf'erence objects strongly to the suggested alterations in policy announced b'y the Minister of Transport. ' ' It was decided to set up a committee of leading figures in the transport industry to wait on the Minister for a clarification of his statement.