approved and condemned

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 777, 25 September 1929, Page 1

approved and condemned

New Transport Legislation SOME AUCKLAND OPINIONS riAT the Transport Law Amendment Bill brought before the House of Representatives last evening will be in the interests of motorists and the public in general was the opinion given to The Sun this morning by a motorists’ representative. On the other hand, the proposals regarding the licensing of private bus services, and the payment of compensation in the event of refusal to renew a licence, have been received by the chairman of the Transport Board with disfavour. lie hints at determined opposition.

‘lt seems to me that the Act goes a long way toward improving matters in connection with motor traffic,'’ said Mr G. tV. Hutchison, secretary of the lackland Automobile Association. Several of the clauses dealt with Questions that had frequently been raised hy the association, said Mr. Hutchison. A very important point was the issue of driving licences. At tha present time the standard of the examination which applicants had to to through differed a great deal in various districts. In some districts it was not possible to test drivers in traffic for their knowledge of traffic control, but under ihe provisions of the Act a general standard would be obtained. It was i a the interests of motorists generally That there should be a general standard and that it should be a good one. However, he thought it would be unnecessary to create a special staff for the issue of licences when the organisations of some of the existing authorities were available, who were no doubt prepared to carry on the work. In the copy of the Act that point was not made very clear, said Mr. Hutchison. WARNING MUST BE GIVEN *Ths clause restricting prosecutions for reckless driving or for exceeding the speed limit, to the extent that -here can be no conviction unless the offender is warned at the time of the alleged offence was committed or within seven days by registered notice that proceedings were to be instituted, is one that should meet with the approval of all motorists, he remarked. This point had • frequently been -aised by the association. There was uo complaint against the city traffic department in this connection, as its officers took immediate steps to notify motorists that they were to be proceeded against, but in some of the outer districts long delays occurred before a motorist was made aware, by means of a summons, that ho would be called upon to answer a charge. It was then very difficult to recollect the alleged occurrence or procure material for a defence. Another good point was the proposal to enable orders disqualifying persons from holding driving licenses to he reviewed by a judge or magistrate, who may refuse to vary the order or reduce the period of suspension as thought lit in the circumstances. This, he thottght, was quite reasonable. Mr. Hutchison pointed out, however, that there was one feature of the Act that motor associations would have to consider very seriously. That was in regard to the taking over of the Highways Board by the Transport Department. He said the original idea was that the board should be free from political control, and up till now that had been maintained. The associations would "'ant to know what advantages would be gained by the proposed change and weigh them against the present independence. At present the independence of the board was a very desirable feature.

REPRESENTATION denied Mr. J. A. C. AUum, chairman of the Transport Board, said the first thing be or the board had heard of the pro"osals was to-day's message from Parliament. The board had never

been approached in any way and had been in ignorance of what the Government intended.

“Notwithstanding requests that local authorities should have representation on the Transport Advisory Council the request has not been granted,” said Mr. Allum. He added that the only local-body representative was the Mayor of Wellington. Auckland was in the unique position in that this city was the only centre that had definitely expressed its mind on transport matters in that its citizens had approved the recommendation of the Transport Commission that transport should be under the control of a board. “The board has been brought Into being to control the services in the interests of the public, and any attempt to interfere with the public rights will be jealously watched,” Mr. Allum said. He dislikes the clause: “Unless there is written objection, applications for renewals of licences to private concerns must not be refused on the ground of competition with tramway or railway services. If, however, after the objection is received, the licensing authority refuses to grant the renewal, the applying licensee is entitled to require either the local body or the Minister of Transport to take over his undertaking at a price to he agreed upon or to be determined by a Compensation Court.” Under the Transport Board Act, 1928, the board has the sole and exclusive right to maintain, manage and operate bus services, subject to certain provisions. It is proposed to amend the Act by the deletion of the words “sole and exclusive,” and to repeal a part, of the Act which allows Lite board to grant to any person power also to operate bus services. Mr. Allum sees in such an amendment an infringement of the proper functions of the board. INDEPENDENT LICENSING Giving his personal opinion, Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mount Eden and a. member, of the Transport Board, said he had wired for a full copy of the proposed Bill. Until it came to hand he felt disinclined to attempt a complete analysis of the Government’s proposals. He would say, however, a.s he had maintained two or three years ago, that in regard to the licensing of private buses it was only fair that an authority not directly interested in the operation of services should have control of the Issue of licences. About the licensing of drivers, Mr. Potter xvas of opinion that the present system adequately met requirements, and whether the Government’s plan would improve matters was a question for the future. Personally 1 am inclined to think that local authorities should be the testing authorities,” Mr. Potter said in connection with the proposed licensing of motor-car drivers by the registrar of motor vehicles. “Such local authorities are In touch with the requirements of their districts and, it seems to me, should know more of the conditions prevailing. Another thing, under the present system the Government is saved considerable expense.” Mr. Potter looks upon the amendment of the Transport Board Act as being on the right lines. He favours Dominion wide uniformity of by-laws affecting motorists.