WHO IS TO MOVE ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 420, 31 July 1928, Page 1

WHO IS TO MOVE ?

Transport Proposals in Mid-Air

ONUS THROWN ON LOCAL BODIES

WHO is to promote the Auckland Transport Board 1 This disconcerting question shortly will present itself to the local authorities in this district—particularly in the outer environs. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the Government does not consider the onus is on the State to solve Auckland’s problems, and no legislative action will be taken until a composite expression of views is received from Auckland.

So far it does not appear to have occurred to the outside local bodies that the next step toward better transport control lies in their own hands, and that they have nothing to hope for from other source. No action has yet been taken to call these bodies together, a step which would be the first in the hard fight, which is inevitable if the system of transport control is to be changed. The City Council probably will get in the first blow by holding a meeting on Tuesday next. It can be barely anticipated that the council will take any action to promote legislation, though it is quite well known that at least some of its members favour a transport board. Unless, therefore, tlje local bodies take steps to help themselves, a position of latency, similar to that which followed the report of the Water Commission, is likely to occur. The City Council’s attitude at that time was that they considered their activities vindicated by the commission, and saw no necessity for any change. Possibly they will accept the commission’s eulogy in the question of transport control in the same spirit. QUICK ACTION ESSENTIAL If anything is to be accomplished this year, immediate action is essential. Parliament has already run half-way through its session, while the City Council continues to run suburban bus services under sufferance, and at a heavy loss, which will not be tolerated indefinitely. It was never intended by the council to run non-paying bus services for such a long period, but unexpected delays in the preparation and the hearing of the commission, as well as in the presentation of the report, have prolonged the period beyond expectations. Between nine and ten months have passed since the council threatened

drastic reductions m suburban services, and then undertook to continue them, first until the local bodies had an opportunity of offering financial assistance, and secondly until the findings of the commission were known. In the meantime the bus undertaking has continued to cost the council thousands of pounds every month.

In view of the indefinite nature of the position, Cr. J. A. C. Alluni. chairman of the Tramways Committee, was asked this morning what the committee proposed to recommend to the council by way of dealing with these losing services pending a settlement of the board problem. “Any further action,” said Cr. Allum, “will be the subject of fresh consideration by the council. We realise, however —and the ratepayers also probably will realise—that there must be a reasonable relationship between the revenue and expenditure on these at present non-paying services.” The consideration by the commission of the Greater Auckland question appears to have been something of a surprise to the local bodies. “The reference in the report to Greater Auckland possibilities can be considered only as entirely ex parte,” remarked Mr. E. H. Northcroft, counsel for the local bodies before the commission. “There is a great deal to be said against Greater Auckland at this stage, though conditions may alter in the course of the next, few years and make Greater Auckland become desirable. We did not consider that this question was before the commission at all; we did not offer any evidence upon it, nor did we direct any argument toward it. “When it became obvious that the City Council was directing a considerable amount of evidence to this subject, we asked if the commission desired to hear our views, and were told that the commissioners did not think it necessary. The reference to it in the report has been based solely upon the evidence submitted by the City Council, and it would be a great pity if this were accepted as cow pletely covering the situation.”

The position as it stands at the moment is this: The Government will not move; the council can be barely expected to move; there is a possibility of further suburban bus reductions; and there is no indication as yet of local body action. The transport problem, indeed, appears in the delightful position of Mahomet’s coffin —suspended in midair.