ROAD TRANSPORT AND EFFICIENCY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 191, 9 May 1940, Page 11

ROAD TRANSPORT AND EFFICIENCY

Need For More Definite Action Seen MINISTERS REVIEW OF SITUATION Shortly after the outbreak of war representatives of branches of tlie road transport industry had assured him that they were ready and willing to offer the services of their organizations to the Government and to do everything in their power to make the road transport industry fully efficient to meet the demands on it, said the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, in an interview yesterday. "This public-spirited offer,” tlie Minister added, “was accepted by the Government, and to assist in this direction 21 district and one national transport advisory committees Ayere set up for tlie purpose of reporting on schemes put forward l>y the industry,. “The National Road Transport Advisory Committee recently reviewed the progress up to date, and though some useful work has been done during the six months tlie committees have been in operation it is clear that the present situation calls for more definite action. The question lias been gone into with tlie representatives of the industry who have willingly cooperated and agreed that they would arrange for each of their branches to submit before May 31. to tlie appropriate district advisory committee a comprehensive report on the present position and the steps that can be put into operation to eliminate waste running, conserve petrol and attain maximum efficiency.

“The industry fully realizes that the conservation of petrol and the cutting out of waste in every possible way is a most important part of our war effort, and the Government is very pleased to have the full co-operation of tlie industry in its endeavours in this direction.

“Tlie question was discussed last week with tlie four district transport licensing authorities whom I called to Wellington for that purpose. The authorities and myself are agreed that the industry can do the job. . However, the question is of such vital importance that in those areas where satisfactory schemes and proposals are not forthcoming by the end of the present month I propose to instruct the licensing authorities to go ahead with the job themselves. “I would like to appeal.” continued the Minister, “to farmers, business houses and storekeepers, who run their own trucks, to give careful consideration to the question of having their work carried out as far as possible by the public carriers. Arrangements are being made for the public carriers to get in touch with private truck owners, setting out the details of the service which they can offer, and I feel sure that it will be possible to make substantial savings in petrol consumption without crippling business.”