UNIFORM CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 8

UNIFORM CONTROL

i ROAD TRANSPORT SYSTEM i t [ COMMITTEES TO OPERATE INDUSTRY TO BE REPRESENTED (By Telegraph.—Press association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Government aims to bring all forms of public motor transport under a uniform system of national control, j as a first step in its plan for origanising road transport on the basis ot maximum efficiency to serve the Dominion during the war period, according to the Minister of Transport, the lion. It. Semple, in a statement issued tonight. “This step has been taken,” said Mr Semple, “in recent transport legislation, which brings town carriers and Laxi services under the provisions of the Transport Licensing Act. All persons and firms engaged in both these i classes of motor transport are now rej quired to lodge applications for licences straight away. The necessary I application 'forms are being distributed through the appropriate channels.” The next and most important' step, continued the Minister, was the organisation and co-ordination of all forms of public motor passenger and freight transport services on’ the basis of maximum efficiency. District Committees “I have been in close consultation with. representatives of various branches of public motor transport in the matter,” he continued, “and they have come forward in a wonderful spirit of national service and assured me that they are ready and willing to offer the services of their organisations to the Government, and to do everything in their power to make the road transport industry fully efficient to meet the demands that may be required of it. The Government lias decided to accept this generous offer, and I am immediately setting up district co-ordinating committees which will work out co-ordinated schemes among all classes of public motor services. They will consist of representatives o-f each of the motor transport interests, the Railway Department and the Transport Department, ancL -will be located at Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Whakatane, Gisborne, Taumarunui, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru/ Oamaru, Dunedin, Alexandria and Invercargill. “The committees will immediately consider schemes for the co-ordination of area operators, town carriers and taxi services in their districts. Road transport organisations are calling meetings throughout the Dominion immediately to acquaint operators with the plan and select their representatives on the committees. Advisory Committee “It is also proposed,” said Mr Semple, “to set 'up a national advisory committee, consisting of representatives of the road transport industry, the Railway Department and the Transport Department, to advise the Minister and district committees on various matters in order to ensure the fullest measure of co-operation. It is proposed that there should be one association for each class of operator in each district, with whatever branches are considered necessary. “While I feel that these proposals will be advantageous to both the general community and the industry in normal times, the fact that we are at war makes them of the utmost importance in the national interest. My experience with the road transport industry gives me every confidence that it will rise to the occasion. I would like to assure the whole industry that the Government has no desire to dictate to it, but wishes to act in the fullest possible consultation and cooperation with every section of it.”