ECONOMY IN TRANSPORT.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1940, Page 4

ECONOMY IN TRANSPORT.

JJTTHERTO, the co-ordination of transport has been opposed strongly in New Zealand and on the whole we have probably made much poorer progress in the economical organisation of carrying services than m'any countries that are considered to be generally of a much more conservative tendency. So much the more on that account there should be scope for the achievement of results in the measures announced by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple)—measures intended to promote greater economy and efficiency in transport industry, to eliminate waste, and to conserve petrol. Mr Semple’s proposals are intended primarily to augment production and promote economy in conditions of war emergency, but any real progress in the efficient co-ordination of transport may be expected to commend itself as worthy of being continued in time of peace as well as of war.

There is a good deal of evidence to support the Minister’s statement that there is much wasteful overlapping in the conduct of transport services in this country. All available figures go to show that in these days of a remarkable and far-reaching improvement and development of transport facilities of all kinds, notably roads and vehicles, transport costs are absorbing an increasing part, of the total production of the Dominion. That is a state of affairs almost fantastic and one that undoubtedly might be improved upon by an efficient organisation and utilisation of the facilities available.

Owners of transport vehicles and others concerned should welcome the investigation now projected into the possibility of organising and carrying out services more economically. Mr Semple has said that owhiers of private transport vehicles will have an opportunity of examining, with officers of the Transport and Supply Departments

all relevant questions relating to alternative transport, operating costs, convenience and economy. Where it appears that public transport can more cheaply and efficiently handle the whole or part of the work at present being done by a private vehicle, a recommendation will be made to this effect to the Oil Fuel Controller. . . . Where it can be shown, however, that a truck is essential to a business, and that the work could not be done with equal efficiency by the public services, reasonable supplies of petrol will be made available.

The need of effecting what reductions are possible in transport costs is intensified sharply in war conditions. The desirability of reducing the call made on external credits in purchasing’ petrol stands out obviously, but there are many other ways in which a lowering of transport costs would contribute to economy and greater efficiency in productive industry. In their own interests and those of the Dominion, all concerned should be very willing to co-operate in 1 he measures of improved organisation now proposed by the Minister of Transport.