ANCILLARY CARRIERS

Evening Star, Issue 23700, 7 October 1940, Page 10

ANCILLARY CARRIERS

ANOTHER BRANCH OF TRANSPORT AMALGAMATES GUARDING AGAINST'INTERFERENCE Convened at tho instance of tho Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, a meeting was held on Friday afternoon to discuss tho question of forming an Otago Ancillary Transport Association, along the lines of one recently formed in Auckland, tho aim of which is primarily to combat encroachment by the Government into the field of distribution of merchandise. Tho president of the chamber (Mr O. M. Bruce) outlined tho reasons for calling the meeting, which ultimately went into committee, a statement later being issued to the Press. The statement comprised an announcement that “ a committee was formed to watch tho interests of ancillary carriers. Any user desiring to bring any matter ' affecting ancillary carriers to the notice of this committee should communicate with tho seretary of the Chamber of Commerce.” After reading tho correspondence which explained the Auckland decision to form an association for tho purpose of combating Government interference in the sphere of ancillary carrying and also with the aim of carrying out a survey of the industry and collecting general data, Mr Bruce asked the meeting to appoint a chairman, and Mr H. L. Longhottom took chafgo of the meeting. „ ~ It was stated by Mr G. W. Fcrens, who is convener of tho Transport Committee of tho Chamber of Commerce, that there were approximately 973 vehicles used for ancillary carrying in Dunedin. Obviously there was a definite feeling in Auckland that it was wise to unite for the protection of ancillary interests. This meeting had been convened to find whether the same feeting existed among Dunedin ancillary users. . The first point that was emphasised by Mr J. Phillips, representing the Otago Commercial Transport Association, who is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Transport Committee, was that the members of bis association desired co-operation with tho ancillary operators. “ There has been a rumour,” he said, “ that the transport operators are trying to eliminate the ancillary users so that this latter business will ho forced into the hands of the carriers. That is not the case. What the carriers have said is that if rationing of fuel should be necessary, it must be oil a fair and equitable basis.” In discussing reasons for and against the formation of an Otago Ancillary Transport Association, ■Mr Phillips sounded the warning that such an association might provide the Government with a means of interference—compulsory membership, licensing, etc. Questioning whether tho Government’s intentions were not still double-edged —tho combination of its war drive with the furthering of its policy of socialisation —he pointed out that only on Thursday, the Minister- of Transport (Mr Semple) said the merger of transport concerns was not a war measure, but a policy framed long before the war began. If it were carried out, there would be an additional saving of petrol during the war. “In all ways the road is being paved for what is coming.” Mr Phillips said. “We know that a lot of wastage in transport can be cut out, but it is the question of method.” In reply to Mr P. Shaddock, Mr Phillips reiterated that there was no opposition on the part of the master carriers toward the ancillary users. They did not want ancillary carrying eliminated so that the work would go to them. . , . Mr Shacklock was pursuing this theme when the question of going into committee was raised and his was the only voice to oppose a motion to, that effect.