CARRIERS’ WORK

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 438, 20 May 1937, Page 6

CARRIERS’ WORK

GOVERNMENT COMPETITION Protest At Conference Press Association —Copyright. Dunedin, May 19. Tne question of Government interference with private enterprise was exemplified by the activities of the Railway Department in undertaking the cartage of furniture and perishable freight, which was contended tc be the legitimate business of carryipg firms, was made the subject of lengthy discussion at the annual conference of the New Zealand Master Carriers and Customhouse Agents’ Association to-day. Five remits, one from Otago and four from Christchurch, ail bearing on the same subject, were discussed by delegates, the remits being as follows: “That consideration be given to the question of Government competition in furniture removals, customs and forwarding work.’’ “That this association wishes to draw the attention of the federation to the keen competition suffered by master carriers from the railways regarding furniture work ««.' far as Christchurch is concerned. It can be noticed ‘that furniture packing is being done in C shed practically every day. Further, ag regards tenders, even though a master carrier’s tender is lower, instances are known of the Railways’ Department receiving the work." “That a strong protest should be made in an endeavour to have parcels delivery work again reverted to master carriers." “That the conference consider what steps should be taken to prevent the Railways Department catering for customs work, especially in the North Island, where it is considered this practice is more prevalent than in the South.’ 1 “That the conference consider appointing a deputation to waft upon the Minister concerned' to see if some improvement cannot be made in relation to Government trading against private enterprise.” The Otago remit wae Introduced by Mr J. Henderson, who said that the federation would have to devise ways and means to bring pressure to bear on the Government to prevent enroachment of tne Railways Department on the livelihood of cartage firms. In the field 'of furniture removing Government interference was iniquitous, he raid, and now that there was a proposal to stabilise the transport industry it would seem that the Railways Department's fear of competition would be removed and it should be requested! to ditcontinue its interference with'town carriers in thi s respect. “Unfair Competition.” The Christchurch remits were supported by Mr T. E. Wiltshire, who outlined what he considered to be unfair competition of the Railways Department in furniture removals and in customs work in that city.

Mr L. Pearson, Masterton, suggested that a deputation from the federation should meet the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and make strong representations for the cecsation of the department’s encroachment on the field of furniture removals. Mr J. H. Kirkwood, Dunedin, said that several deputations from the local association had met the Minister, and although they had not received as much as they would have liked, the position at Dunedin had been to some extent improved. It was decided that a deputation wait upon the Minitter s of Transport, Customs and Railways and make strong representations to have interference by the Railways Department in furniture and customhouse cartage removed.