MASTER CARRIERS’ DEPUTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1930, Page 5

MASTER CARRIERS’ DEPUTATION

(By Telegrapn—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 1

A,deputation of: Master Carriers to the Minister of Railways (Hon W. A. Veitcli) to-dfiy-'protested;,against interference with their business by the Railway Department, both in regard to customhouse -work and general carrying. ," ’r

The deputation stated it was rumoured that the Railway Department intended to put nine lorries on the road in competition with carriers. Replying, the Minister said the Government‘realised the need of co-opera-tion between all forms of transport, and denied that the Department was putting lorries on the road, hut stated the Government might deem it necessary to enter into active competition with private transport concerns, competing unfairly with the railways. Where' the railways could serve the people better than road transport they should have the business. Where road transport could serve, better than the railways, it should get the business. He was firmly qonvinced the coming Transport Bill would make for commonsense co-operation betweep road arid railway transport. As Minister of Railways, he had to keep the losses down to an absolute minimum, and for that reason lie could make no definite promise wit'll regard to tl'fe transport activities of the Department-