PUBLIC MOTOR TRANSPORT

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 8

PUBLIC MOTOR TRANSPORT

SYSTEM Of NATIONAL CONTROL GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY 1 COLLABORATING [Pie United Pekss Association.] : WELLIN GTON, fSetember ; 4. The Government aims to bring all forms of public motor transport under a uniform system of national control as the first step in its plan for organising road transport on a basis of maximum efficiency to serve the : Dominion during the war period, according r t« the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple), in a, statement, issued to-night. “This step has been taken,” said Mr Semple, “ in the recent transport legislation which brings town, carriers and taxi services under the provision* of the Transport Licensing Act. All persons and firms engaged ‘ in both these classes of motor transport are now required to lodge applications for licenses straight away. The necessary application forms are being distributed through the appropriate channels.” ' i OFFER FROM INDUSTRY, j The next and most important step, he continued, was the organisation and co-ordination of all forms- of public motor passenger and freight transport services on the 1 basis of maximum efficiency. “I have been in close con-' sultation with representatives of th* various branches of, public motor transport in the matter,?’ ho continued. “ They came forward in * wonderful spirit of national service and assured me that they are ready and willing to offer the services of their organisations to the Government and to do everything in their power to make the road transport industry fully efficient to meet the demands that may be required of it. , The Government has decided to accept this generon* offer, and I am immediately sotting ’ up district co-ordinating committee* who will work put co-ordinated schemes among all .classes of ptthlio , motor transport interests, , the Rail- > ways Department, and the Transport Department, and will be located at Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Whakatane, Gisborne, Taumarunui, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmer--stoh North, Hastings. Masterton, : Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth. Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, Oaroaru, Dunedin, Alexandra, and Invercargill, “ The committees will, immediately >. consider schemes for the co-ordinatipn of area operators, town .carriers, and taxi services in their districts. The* road transport organisations are-call-ing meetings throughout the Dominion immediately to acquaint operator* with the plan and to select their r*- , presentatives on the committees, i < ADVISORY COMMITTEE

“ It is also proposed,” Mr Sempl* said, “to set up a National Advisory Committee consisting of representative* of the road transport industry, ;,tba Railways Department, and the: Transport Department to advise the Minister and the district committees on various matters in order to ensure th* fullest measure of co-operation. It is proposed that there should ,be .on* association for each class of . operator iii each district, with whatever branches are considered necessary, ~ “ While I feel,” Mr Semple continued, "that these proposals will It|* advantageous to both the general community and .the industry in normal times, the fact that we / are at war makes them of the utmost ifnportr#ic* in the national interest.' My expen- '

ence with the road transport industry gives me every confidence that it will rise to the occasion. I would like tn assure the whole industry that th» Government has no desire to dietat* to it. but wishes _to act in, the fullest possible consultation and co-operation with every section ,of it.” •