RISE IN COSTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20017, 16 August 1939, Page 10

RISE IN COSTS

TRANSPORT i!\l DOMINION

UP BY FIVE PER CENT

INCREASE IN PETROL TAN

REVIEW BY OPERATORS

(Herald Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The recent increases in taxation had increased the cost of the operation of motor transport by approximately 5 per cent, according to a report presented to a meeting in Wellington yesterday of representatives of the four national commercial transport organisations. Mr. J. B. Cullen, the president of the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance, presided and there were present representatives of the New Zealand Carriers’ Federation, the New Zealand Passenger Services’ Federation, the New Zealand Taxi Proprietors’ Federation and the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance. The meeting was the largest and most representative of the interests concerned yet held in New Zealand. The meeting considered that the increased taxation recently announced was not intended to be directly borne by the industry and that, in the absence of other considerations, commercial transport as a whole would have no alternative but to increase | its charges commensurate with the

i increase in costs. There were, however, other factors ! which had a great bearing on the im- | mediate future of the industry which I it was desired to ascertain in assessing the incidence of the petrol tax in relation to the whole position. Extension of Control Of the greatest importance among ! those were the legislation alieady con- | templated to extend the transport i licensing control to taxis and town carriers with consequent stabilisation ; exnected and the decision by the Gov- | eminent, on recommendations made at | the request of the Minister of Transi port, involving the future transport policy and also a review of the regu- \ lations affecting the operating condi- ; lions with a view to the elimination j of all possible undue restrictions. | It was resolved that, in the event of ; nn asmrance being forthcoming that those matters would receive *he at- ' tention of the Government, the indusi fry generally would not ask for any i flat rate increase in charges. The I industry, however, considered that ! certain sections with fixed charges would be unable to bear 4 he increased | cost due to the petrol tax and re* ouired the right for all engaged to have consideration given to any application for increased charges. After discussion of the transport \ policy and administration, the following resol u* ion was carried unanimously: “That this meeting, representative of commercial motor transport industry, places on record its continued confidence in the Minister of Transport and expresses appreciation of his action in consulting the industry in regard to future policy.” The meeting is continuing to-day.