TRANSPORT BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1931, Page 3

TRANSPORT BILL

MOTOR SERVICES

GE N'ERAL CO-ORDINATION

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 7

The Transport Licensing Bill was introduced in the House this evening. Hon. Mr Veitch explained the sevuitysix clauses of the R’ll, though there are two principal ones only.

The Motor Omnibus Traffic Act is repealed,' but its provisions are widened in this Bill to cover licensing over whole transport system.

•Mr Veitch said: “A Board is to be set up to control the administrat.on.”

.Mr O'Brien ; “Will it eliminate the competitors with the trains? - ’ Mr Veitch: “It will not compulsorily abolish competitive services.” Mr O’Brien : “It is not much good,

then!” Mr Veiitch : “That’s a matter of opinion.” Mr Holland : “Are the motor services co-ordinated ?”

Mr Veitch : “The operation of the Act will do this, to a large extent.” Mr D. G. Sullivan asked if there would be any interference with the fees now paid to the local authorities, and which are now retained by those bodies.

Replying to this and other questions. Mr Veitch said that neither the heavy traffic fees nov the drivers 1 - censes would he interfered with. 1 his measure was one merely co-ordinating the services w.ith each other, and with the railways throughout the country. It was the aim of the Government to establish a national timetable for all transport. It was proposed to send the Bill to a Special Committee to-morrow.

The Dominion, he said, would be divided into groups, and, for licensing purposes, there would be central and area control. A Central Board would be appointed with the consent ot the Minister. Greater elasticity would be shown under this Bill, though the measure was merely a licensing one, and not one dealing with the general transport problem of the country. The Bill was read the first' time .