TRANSPORT MERGERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 November 1939, Page 7

TRANSPORT MERGERS

STATEMENT BY AUTHORITY. DENIAL OF COMPULSION. (By Telegraph—Press Assoeiat’on.) WANGANUI. November 14. "To allay any fears that transport operators may have by reason of statements reported to have been made by the Hon Adam Hamilton in Pahiatua on November 11. I wish to make this statement.” said Mr P. Skoglund. Number 2 Transport Licensing Authority, when the authority held a public sitting in Wanganui today. "Mr Hamilton's statement having been made in the Number 2 authority's district, the public might gain the impression that Number 2 authority has been acting in a manner as stated by Mr Hamilton, who is reported as saying that operators have been forced ofl the road without compensation." Mi Skoglund continued. "No operators have been forced off the road in the Number 2 district under the circumstances mentioned by Mr Hamilton. “Mr Hamilton is also reported as having said that operators are being bluntly told that, unless they agree U combine with other interests and sink their individuality and independence, they will have their licences cancelled. In so far as Number 2 district is concerned. this statement is entirely incorrect. If any operators in Number 2 district merge their interests, it would be entirely on a voluntary basis. The -only degree of compulsion used will be in the direction of requiring carriers to join their appropriate associations. This action is being taken in the interests of carriers themselves, and ii. the hope that co-operation may be achieved.

"Mr Hamilton is also reported as having said that the Government's policy is definitely in the direction of wiping out individual private transport interests so as to give the industry ovei to transport monopolies, ultimately to become a State monopoly. In this connection both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport have stated publicly that it is not the intention of the Government to nationalise road transport. With implicit faith in the statements of the Ministers concerned the policy of No 2 Authority is directed accordingly." Mr Skoglund said. “Another matter to which I wish to refer is a reported resolution by farmers in Dannevirke some weeks ago when they objected to the compulsory merging of carrying interests in South-' ern Hawke's Bay. I can only repeat that nowhere in No 2 district are carriers compelled to merge their interests, nor will No 2 Authority approve of any compulsion being used in this direction."