ISSUE OF LICENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 118, 15 November 1939, Page 8

ISSUE OF LICENCES

GOVERNING FACTORS

ROAD AND RAIL TRANSPORT

In order to clarify the position in regard to the issue ol licences for road transport services, particularly when these are in competition with the railways, the principles governing the decisions now being given by the No. 2 Licensing Authority ha^e been outlined by the Authorityi Mr. J. P. Skoglund. His statement also deals with cases of ancillary users on whose applications for lidences decisions were recently reserved. With reference to those services operating in direct competition with the railways, the No. 2 Authority' has decided to allow these to, run as at present, but under a tariff schedule. The tariff will be railway rates plus* 5 per cent, excepting for market garden produce and for back-loadingof goods to growers which are essential for production purposes. A special tariff will be proposed for this class of freights 7 'In connection with market garden produce, the No, 2 Authority is of opinion that this question must not only be considered in relation to railway interests, but also in relation to production. , -- The Authority is of opinion that there is a field for investigation, by the appropriate department into the question of distribution^ i It has come under his notice that ! garden produce grown in the Horowhenua district and sold' in the Wellington markets is retailed in/Palmerston North. The Authority is of opinion thatservices ' operating in direct opposition to the railways should be- owned and operated where necessary by the Railway Department. With the exception of one or two services whose timetables have been altered, passenger services will also be allowed to continue. If in ' the future it is found necesasry to restrict these services on : account of shortage of petrol supply, the Authority has obtained? from the majority of the operators amended timetables that can be put into operation immediately the need> for doing so arises. A special .condition .is being attached to the licences to this, effect. If it becomes necessary to restrict, petrol supplies for private users further it may be advisable to keep certain services, especially those operating in country districts not; served by rail, running to Tfull capacity. 7 CONSERVATION OF PETROL. In reviewing licences, the Authority has taken 7 into consideration petrol conservation; not only in relation to a possible shortage of supply, but: as a national economy. Waste, elimination can"*best be achieved by greater cooperation amongst, the licensed operators and others interested in transport. The 7 Authority is of opinion that there is a large field for .investigation amongst users .of trucks, particularly the smaller ancillary users, over which there is no control by the Transport Department. Ancillary users operating against the railways have been divided intQ two categories:-r-(l) The operator whose business would not be adversely affected by using the railway service-^ other licensed i goods service,' escept perhaps by a small increase in freight charges, and whose goods were originally carried by rail. (2) The operator the development of ,•. whose business, or part of his business, has been made possible 7 only by reason of the use of' the motor vehicle? and whose goods the railways/have not previously carried. The Authority in making hisdecisions has taken. the above facts into consideration.7. '..-.'.■