PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19884, 13 May 1936, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

4 TRANSPORT SYSTEM

NIW BILL'S PROVISIONS. AUTHORITY \VITIi MINISTER. _._—- CONDITI'ONS 0F LICENSING. _._..— WELLING‘TOS. Tuesday. Sweeptng alterations to the transDort system are provided for in the Transport. Licensing Amendment Bill Which “'35 Introduced into the House of Representatives this evening by Governor—Generals Message. Provision is made for the abolition of the Transport (Jo-ordination Board retrospective from April 1 and for the transfer of its powers to the Minister of Transport, “Who will have also the sole right. to grant. licenses for commercial air services. ,

The constitution of district licensing authorities as distinct from metropolitan authoritieg is altered by the pro—vision empowering the Munster to ap|‘point any (maimed person to be the {lB member of u dlstrirt authority. .\t resent distrivt authorities consist of three members each, but on the uppointment of a sole member hy the Minister the existing members will have to vacate omcei viiowever. any member or an existing authority may be appointed as a sole member at the discretion of the Minister.

“men a 901:: member is appointed the provisions of the principal Act relating to meetings of licensing authorities will be suspended. but the sole member will still lie required to record all decisions in a minute book to be regarded as evidence of any proceedings under the Act. All other provisions of the principal Act relating to district authorities will. with the necessary modifications. apply to persons appointed as sole members. The Central Licensing Authority, which at present deals with certain long-distance passenger services, which generally tmverse two or more districts, is to be abolished. ‘ Passenger Servleee. ‘ The Bill defines the manner in which the proper licensing authority for the granting of passenger service licences shall be ascertained. When a passen~ ger service is to he conducted entirely within a transport district the author—ity for that district will have sole Jurisdiction. if a service is to operate partly within a metropolitan district and partly within an adjoining district. the licensing authority for the latter distric? will deal with the license. In other cases where the service may extend over two or more districts the appropriate licensing authority will be determined by the Minister. It is provided that the authority empowered to grant a license covering more than one district must consult with the other authorities concerned before making a decision, although temporary licences may be granted without suchi consultation. i “'idcr powers for the review oi’ licenses are to be given to licensing yauthorities. it is provided that it' an authority is satisfied that there has been a material change in the circumstances under which any passenger service license was granted it may notify the licensee that it intends to review the license. it may also take similar action under direction from the Minister of Transport. After giving it days’ notice the authority may then hold a public sitting for the purpose of reviewing the licence, dealing with the matter, with the necessary modifications, as it the licensee concerned were an applicant tor a new license. If. after reviewing the license. the authority is or the opinion that it is necessary or desirable to take action. it may revoke the licence. alter the expiry date and make it earlier. or amend or revoke any of the terms or conditions. Appeals 'to Minister. Appeals from decisions of licensing authorities with respect to passenger or goods service licenses may be made to the Minister instead of to the Transport (Lo-ordination Board. The Minister is empowered to up. (point persons to Inquire on his behalf concerning any appeal. it is also provided that in determining any appeal the Minister shall not be bound to hear any person, to take any evidence or to receive any representa—tions. He may confirm. modify ul‘ reverse the derision against which an appeal has been lodged. The Mill—ister‘s decision is to be final and if he. modifies or reverses the finding of a licensing authority that lludy must immediately give errorl to his decision. The Minister will communicate his de—cisions to the llummissioncr or Trans—port. who will notify all persons con‘terncd.

Provlslon ls made that appeals which were not flnnlisrtl by the Transport Co~orllinntinn Ronni ““1 hr [lt‘lrrmlned by the .\linistm‘. .\nuthrt‘ clause provides that “w (lf‘l'isloni or the Minister shall nut tn- qurslinncxl or appealed against t‘Xl‘l‘Pl on the grounds or lack of Jurlsdh‘tlon. A clause of purth'ulnr importnnrc states that. except with ttw previous written consent or the Minister or Hallway; no llcrnsv shall he gt'nnlml to any other person for :1 passungrr service hm‘lns substantially the sumo. route and tormlnul [lnlnls as 21 W 5. esngvr smwh‘o t‘ur “hich the .\linish-r of Halmuys «Ilrvmly hum,- a “Mm.“ Howow'r. l'l‘nf'\\(ll.~' of lirrnrrs \\'hlt-h do nut autlmrisv mlrmlons ut‘ Sl'l‘Virvs Ire not covered l») the rluusr. 'l‘hu Mlnlsh‘r ls l‘mPOWK‘l't‘tl l 0 llm‘laro (my motor sorvlve to lu‘ n passvnscr 591‘— vice. LEO|SLATIVI COUNCIL.

SPEAKER \\'l-IL(H).\II~‘.I) max. I (3y TologrmllL—«l'ross .\auwmuun.) ! “‘ELLINH'I'ON, Tues:an 3 When the! Loglsluliu- linunn'il Im‘t this nftvmimn. Ih.- Spvulu-r. Sir; Walter Carncross. “In! Ins been ill in; a [whim hospital, px'v;.hl('d. and was’ welconwd hawk by tho Ln'mlm' of 1119' Comm“. tln‘ Hun, .\l. FJKRIH. 511'; “'alter thanked xur‘mhn'rs {or lhvir| good wlshss uml mxu‘rssr-d his pleasur' In returning lo Ihv (inunvil. ! The Primary Products .\larkelins‘ 5m was read a first lime. ! 4-K Four days' leave of absence “(13‘ granted lo Sir lloaion Rhodes (Carr urban) on account of lime“. l