TRANSPORT BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1929, Page 6

TRANSPORT BILL

WHY WAS IT KILLED? WELLINGTON, December IS. Statements of great interest to motoring associations and those engaged in. commercial transport were made by the Hon. W. A. Yeitcli, .Minister of Transport, when he took the opportunity of replying to the criticisms of Mr A. E. Ansel I, M.l\, president of the South Island Motor Union. “I was very interested to note,” said .Mr Yeitcli, “that Mr Ansell had at last ventured to express his objections to the Transport Law Amendment Bill introduced by me last session, and also to learn that his own criticism of the Bill was that there was no serious attempt in it to co-ordinate those two systems (road and rail) ot transport. I was not surprised, however, from the published report of Mr Ansell’s remarks, to gather that he had not given this very important problem serious consideration in the past; indeed it is obvious that had Mr Ansell really understood the problem and the provisions of the Bill he would not have been justified in making the assertion to which I have referred. Had -Mr Ansell and other critics been even remotely conversant with the trend of transport events in other countries they would have appreciated that the Government’s measure was based on a very dose study of the experience and proposals of other countries, with essentia! adaptations for conditions peculiar to New Zealand.

“The machinery provided in part 3 of the Bill for the regulation of commercial transport was practically identical with that since recommended by the British Royal Commission on Transport, after probably the most exhaustive investigation into the question that has ever been carried out tho order of reference being to take into consideration problems arising out ot the growth of road traffic, and with a view to securing the employment of available means of transport in Great Britain (including transport by sea, coastwise and by ferries) to the greatest public advantage; to consider and report what measures, if any, should be adopted for their regulation and control, and, so ifar as is desirable in the public interest, to promote their co-ordinated working and development. “I have before me flic second report dealing with the co-ordination of passenger transport, and, as is well known, cabled advice has been received that the recommendations of the commission have been incorporated in a Bill introduced recently in the British House of Commons by Mr Herbert Al.orri.son, .Minister of Transport. TH,E KILLING Oi’ THE BILL.

“Far from 'supporting the view expressed by Mr Ansell that no tears should be shed for the shelving of the Bill, I feel sure,” added .Mr Yeitcli “that the public of New Zealand will appreciate the fact that those repousible for the formulation of the Government’s proposals wore abreast of the times, and that the killing of the Bill was a party move that will result in a very material waste o<f public money and an unnecessary continuation of the present chaotic state of affairs. The plea for further investgatiou was merely a subterfuge, as Parliament’s attention had been repeatedly drawn by departmental reports, annually and otherwise, to the enormous losses and potential deficits if steps were not taken to grapple with the problem. Ample evidence is already available to those capable of understanding to show that regulation of transport is long overdue. “There were other clauses in the Bill to which Mr Ansell apparently did not refer, and I am not surprised at that. These clauses were desired and welcomed by all sections of till l motoring community, as tending to more efficient and harmonious administration and extending consideration and convenience to motorists not enjoyed previously. I would refer practically to the proposals to issue motor drivers’ licenses by the Post Office. This would have eliminated the present inconvenience imposed on close on two hundred thousand holders to obtain their drivers’ licenses in having to obtain their drivers’ licenses and number plates from different authorities. Yarious other hardships were removed, and I. feel sure that motorists generally, particularly those in the South island will find it diffieut to reconcile the actions <>if Air Ansell as a member of Parliament and Air Ansell as president .of the South Island .Motor Union. In his general hostility to the Bill he has helped to deprive the private motorist of many desirable changes in the present law, and lias supported opposition to legislation, and important review of which will show clearly that it was in the interests of the Dominion and in keeping with recognised necessities in other countries.”