EFFECT ON TRANSPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 1

EFFECT ON TRANSPORT

BOARD CONSIDERS FREE SERVICES MAY SEEK LEGISLATION How flee omnibus services conducted by business firms in Auckland could grow to dimensions sufficient to affect the Transport Board was instanced to the board this morning bv Mr. A. J. Bn trican. After consideration of a legal report on the question, which said the subject could be met only by special legislation, the board decided to refer the position to the whole board in committee. ‘ The legal report explained that the problem raised the point of the right of individuals to give free rides to friends and customers. It was suggested that the board, before approaching Parliament, should consider the position and should make an attempt to define the limits within which free riding should be permitted. Mr. E. H. Potter, in moving the receiving of the report, said it was not the board’s business to consider whether individual parties should charge for their services. If they could afford to do so, the board should not interfere.

“Mr. Potter’s statement is remarkable,” declared Mr. En trican. "There is no doubt that we are feeling the position seriously. Thousands of people come into the city each morning free, and the thing is growing. If we cannot make our system pay, we may yet have to call for a special rating.* I think the Minister of Transport should be approached to see what can be done with this serious question. I move an amendment that the question go to a committee.”

Mr. G. G. Ashley seconded, and Mr. M. J. Coyle also agreed with Mr. Entrican’s view. Mr. E. J. Phelan thought the board should control the routes over which the free buses ran, at least.