NO COMPULSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 15 November 1939, Page 9

NO COMPULSION

ROAD OPERATORS MERGING OF INTERESTS VIR. HAMILTON ANSWERED AUTHORITY'S DENIAL (I’or Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day. “To allay any fears that transport operators may have by reason of the statements reported to have been made by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, at Pahiatua on November 11. I wish to make this ■.tatemen'." said Mr. P. Skoglund, No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority, when the authority held a public sitting at Wanganui yesterday.

“Mr. Hamilton's statement having been made in the No. 2 authority’s district, the public might gain the impression that No. 2 authority has been acting in the manner as stated by Mr. Hamilton, who is reported as saying that operators have been forced off the road without compensation,” Mr. Skoglund continued. “No operators have been forced ofr the road in No. 2 district under the circumstances mentioned by Mr. Hamilton,” Mr. Soglund added. “Mr. Hamilton is also ■eported as having said that operators are being bluntly told that unless they agree to combine with o'her .interests and .sink their individuality and indencndence they will have their licenses cancelled. Insofar as No. 2 district is concerned, this statement is entirely incorrect. If any operators in No. 2 district merge their interes's, it will be entirely on a voluntary basis. The only degree of compulsion used will be in the direction of requiring carriers to join their appropriate associations. This action is being taken in the interests of the carriers themselves, in *he hope that co-operation may be achieved.

Ultimate State Monopoly

“Mr. Hamilton is also reported as having said that the Government's nolicy is definitely in the direction of wiping out individual private transport interests so far as to give the industry over to transport monopolies, ultimately to become a State monopoly. In this connection, both the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, and the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, have stated publicly that it is not the intention of the Government to nationalise road transport. With the implication of faith in the statements of the Ministers mentioned. the policy of No. 2 authority is directed accordingly,” Mr. Skoglund stated.

“Another matter to which I wish to rpfer is to the reported resolution by farmers at Dannevirke some weeks ago, when they objected to 'die compulsory merging of carrying interests hi southern Hawke’s Bay. I can only repeat that nowhere in No. 2 district are carriers compelled to merge their interests, nor will No. 2 authority approve of any compulsion being used in this direction.