TRANSPORT SERVICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 November 1939, Page 9

TRANSPORT SERVICES

ATTITUDE OF LICENSING AUTHORITY. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING DECISIONS. The principles governing decisions now being given by the No 2 Licensing' Authority, particularly in cases where road services are in competition with the railways, have been outlined by the authority, Mr J. P. Skoglund. His statement also covers cases of ancillary users on whose applications for licences decisions were recently reserved. Referring to those goods services operating in direct competition with the railways, the authority has decided to allow these to run as at present, but under a tariff schedule. The tariff will be railway rates plus 5 per cent, except for market garden produce and for back-loading of goods to growers which are essential for production purposes. A special tariff will be proposed for this class of freight. In connection with market garden produce, the authority is of opinion that this question must not only be considered in relation to railway interests, but also in relation to production. hence the reason for a special tariff'. While on the question of market garden produce, the authority is of opinion that there is a field here for investigation by the appropriate department regarding the question of distribution. The authority is of opinion that services operating in direct opposition to the railways should be owned and operated where necessary by the Railways Department. With the exception of- one or two services whose timetables have been altered, passenger services will also be allowed to continue. If in the future it is found necessary to restrict these services on account of shortage of petrol supply s the outhority has obtained from the majority of the operators amended timetables that can be put into operation immediately the need for doing so arises. A special condition is being attached to the licences to this effect. In some cases, particularly services operating in country districts not served by rail, the authority says, it may bo advisable, if it ever becomes necessary further to restrict petrol supplies to private users, to keep these particular services running to their full capacity. The reason is obvious. In reviewing all these licences, the authority says he has taken into consideration the question of petrol conservation not only in relation to a possible shortage of supply, but also in connection with national economy, and whatever waste can be eliminated, this will be done. Waste elimination can best be achieved by greater cooperation among the licensed operators and others interested in transport. Steps are being taken in an endeavour to achieve this result. In connection with petrol conservation the authority is of opinion that there is a large field for investigation among those users of trucks, particularly the smaller ancillary users, over which there is no control by the Transport Department. Ancillary users operating against the railways have been divided into two categories: (1) The operator ’whose business would not be adversely affected by using the railway service or other licensed goods service, except perhaps by a small increase in freight charges, and whose goods were originally carried by rail; (2) the operator, the development of whose business, or part of his business, has been made possible only by reason of the use of the motor vehicle, aqd whose goods the railways have not previously carried. The authority, in making his decisions, has taken these facts into consideration.