Frustrating Transport Rationalisation

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 7

Frustrating Transport Rationalisation

Minister Warns Merchants PUTTING THEIR OWN TRUCKS ON ROAD Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. A warning to those merchants and others who are reported as frustrating the rationalisation of motor transport over certain routes was issued to-day by tho Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple.) The Minister 1 said that although it was desired to use tho powers of the new legislation sparingly the law would be invoked in cases where it was clear that the administration of the Act was being circumvented. Mr. Semple explained that recently he had met Messrs. E. J. Phelan (Auckland - !, J. P. O. Skoglund (Wellington), T. H. Langford (Christchurch) and V. Raines (Dunedin) who acted as district licensing authorities under the Transport Act.

"We discussed a number of matters dealing with the administration of the Act in the light of the experience gained by the licensing authorities," he said. "The licensing authorities drew by attention to a number of instances where their attempts to rationalise motor transport over certain routes with the object of reducing national transport costs were being frustrated by merchants and others putting their own trucks on the road.

‘ ‘The legislation .provides for power to bring ancillary services of this nature under the Transport Act. The goueral policy, however, is to use the power sparingly, but I want to emphasise that it will be invoked in cases where it is clear that the administration of the Act is being circumvented. "Another point I should like to emphasise,” said Mr. Semple, "is the desirability for all persons, firms, local bodies, etc., obtaining tenders for road haulage to make it a condition of the contract that the successful tenderer complies where necessary with the provisions of the Transport Act. Cases have arisen where tenders for cartage (have been accepted and the road transport operator has subsequently' been unable to secure the necessary license. This has led to confusion and irritation. I want to make it quite clear that all this trouble can be avoided if business firms and local bodies make compliance with the Transport Act a condition of their contracts for road transport."