New Transport Bill Debated In House

Chronicle (Levin), 3 August 1949, Page 3

New Transport Bill Debated In House

WELLINGTON, August 2. In the House' of Representatives today, Mr. Hackett, moving the second reading of the Transport Bill whick replaces 37 existing Acts and amendments, said none of the amendrnents which had been introduced in course of the revising .of the transport law, were considered controversial. One amendment m$.de it an offence to apply for a new registration for a inotor vehicle while an existing registration remained valid. It had been found, said Mr. Hackett, that , new registrations were sometimes sought to conceal the' fact that a vehicle had not been fully paid for or that it had been stolen.

Another amepdment authorised ambulances to carry bells or sirens. The provision autliorising local bodies to close roads for pi-ocessions or for vehicle races, had been sought by the ,local bodies themselves. Mr. Hackett said there had been-some criticisra of the rapid inerease ' in the staff of the Transport Department but the Department Js responsibilities had also grown rapidly. The Department now controlled traffic in and out of 123 cities, towns and boroughs at their request. This could not be done without employing more traffic officers. These men were giving excellent service, were prepared to work all hours of the day or night, and were controlling traffic more efficiently than local bodies or any other 8tate department could hope to do. The Minister mentioned that during the period of petrol rationing, consumption had gone up from 61,000,000 to 102,00.0,0,00 gallons. A1K. G. H. MAOKLEY (Wairarapa) while agreeing that it was timo the legislation should be 'consolidated, said it would have been desirable for the Minister to circulate the Bill to all organisations and interested parties so that their opinions could be obtained on the new clauses introduced. He saia that much of the old legislation hao been perpetuated and he considereu that the passenger ond operator insur- • ance cover limitations could be incroas- [ ed. He regretted that the 14 or lb appointments had not been made to the Transport Coordination Council, legislation to establish which had been passed last year. The Minister would oe well advised to deiay appointments further until after the General Eleetion. Dr. Finlay: It won't make any differenee. Mr. Mackley said that the change m title from traffic inspector to traffic officer was a good oue. DR. A. M FINLAY (North Shore; discussed the difficulties wrhich had arisen regarding operations of the North Shore ferry services in Auckland and said that if the ferry company ever attempted to carry out its threat to discontinue certain non-paying services, the Government should be prepared to take over if not the whole undertaking, at least those services which were discontinued. The Government might then operatb the services as a charge on the company. "I hope the situation will never arise but if it did, the Government should be prepared to act," said Dr. Finlay. "Essential transport service must be maintained in the public intGTGst. ' ' MR. S. W. SMITH. (Hobson) said the ferry company had given a good service for years and he hoped'tlie Government would never take its business from it.

Mr. Sxnith said the time was overdue when the Government and local bodies using .vehicles for which they did noi; pay registration feps, should carry a readily distinguishable number plate. It was customary for many years that Ministerial cars should carry a distingulshing number plate but the preiix to these numbers had been changed some years ago. Ministerial cars now bore a number beginning with the group "221" but the public did not know the significance of that. Ministers were apparently intent on getting ' away from showing to the public what cars were used by the Government. Mr. Nordmeyer: Who started it? Mr. Smith: I do not care who started it. It might have been Noah. Mr. Nordmeyer: It was your friena Mr. Coates. Mr. Smith said he had no objection to^ the Minister using an oflicial car for all his public business and in fact for his private business. That was something to which he wras entitled becausc of the sacriflces of time required of him. However, there had been instances of Ministerial cars being seen in localities where there were no Minister s and strict supervision should be exercised over the "'use of cars by persons otlier than the- Ministers themselves. _ Goverment voice: Name one instance. Mr. Smith: 'I make this .charge because it is true. Mr. Smith urged the Minister to confer wdth the Minister of Justice on the penalties for car conversion. A person could steal a car wrorth £1000 and suffer a lighter penalty than a person who stole £50 or £100.* "If a man gets into another person 's car and drives it away, it should be called by its right name — stealing, " said Mr. Smith. Mr. McCdmbs: You must argue that with the Magistrates. They say it is not. Mr. Smith said car thieves were a bigger danger to the community than those who stole money. Mr. Smith also urged' a revision of the law as to the liability of drivers who offered people a lift in a car. MR. R. M. ALGIE (Remuera) saidthat a Judge of the Supi'eme Court had a code of evidence and the appeai authority under the Transport Act macie his own code of evidence. There was no appeai from the appeai authority 's decision. The Government could perform a graceful act and order a halt to ' that system which had crept into - our laws. The debate was interrupted by the tea adjournmeiit at 5.30.