Transport Licences.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1943, Page 2

Transport Licences.

A statement that the recent amendment to the transport licensing emergency regulations empowering licensing authorities to give first preference to applications by returned service men for new road transport licences had been introduced primarily for the purpose of assisting in the rehabilitation of discharged men, was made by the Minister of Transport, Mr O’Brien. "Many of the returned men have had valuable experience in operating mechanical transport in the armed services and are now anxious to take the open air life offered in the road transport industry,” the Minister said. “When considering applications for new licences or for the transfer of existing licences, the licensing authorities now have to give definite preference to discharged service men. The regulations also give power to the licensing authorities to control the selling prices of existing transport businesses,” he continued. “Due to the petrol and tire restrictions, which have enhanced, the values of many services, vendors are asking in some cases exorbitant prices for so-called goodwill.” The Government was determined that those men who had fought for our liberties should not be exploited, he added.