UNFAIR COMPETITION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 458, 16 June 1937, Page 5

UNFAIR COMPETITION

UNLICENSED CARRIERS Public Works Lorries Complaints of unfair competition with licensed carriers were made by Mr P. Stainton. of New Plymouth, representing the Taranaki Master Carriers Association, at a sitting of the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority at Stratford to-day. Mr Stainton first referred to the operations of unlicensed carriers and said there were a number who were definitely attempting to avoid their obligations and were competing unfairly with those who had to pay the fees. It was their business to get licenses but they just ambled along without making any attempt to do so. He submitted that they had put themselves outside the provisions of the Act and should be dealt with as new operators.

Mr Skoglund said that returns were being prepared to ascertain the number of carriers who had not yet made application to the Authority and he issued a warning to any who had not yet applied to do so immediately otherwise they might find themselves too late. The operating of public works lorries in the back-country districts was also brought under notice of tho Authority by Mr Stainton. He said they were doing general work which in the past had been given to licensed operators. Mr Skoglund said he had taken up the matter with the Public Works Department and their attitude was that where they had their own trucks they would use them. "I know that in your position yon are going to see that operators are going to earn a decent living under decent conditions,” said Mr Stainton in alluding to the number of licenses granted for public works jobs. He maintained that when the work had finished a number would have to forfeit their licenses. For a considerable period until matters adjusted themselves there would be a lean time for operators. Mr Skoglund said he had made inquiries in Wellington and he realised the situation.