TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20920, 27 September 1939, Page 6

TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION

Because it is a vital factor in the defence and economic structure of the country, the transport industry in New Zealand has in the present emergency been subjected to more “interference” than perhaps any other national industry. The demands of efficiency in defence must, of course, receive first consideration, but there is a possibility, unless the utmost care is exercised, of the Government inflicting unnecessary hardship upon individuals who earn their livelihood from the performance of the country’s transport business. It is necessary in the first place to define clearly to what extent restrictions are imposed for legitimate defence reasons, thus indicating the extent of interference for other purposes such as economy in petrol, conservation of foreign exchange, the elimination of competition, the protection of the railways and the “socialisation” of the transport services. There is admittedly room for co-ordination which will result in definite benefit to the transport operators themselves, and further voluntary action on these lines will probably be taken soon. Regarding supplies of petrol, precautions have wisely been taken, but there is evidence that the precautions have erred on the side of undue pessimism. Large stocks of petrol are held in the Dominion and tankers are bringing ample quantities from refineries far removed from the present danger zones. The belief in the oil industry is that storage space will soon be fully occupied and that it will be possible to further relax the restrictions on the consumption of petrol. Transport operators are as ready as any other section of the community to make a patriotic contribution to national efficiency, and they ask only that their private business should not be subjected to restrictions that are not necessary from the national point of view as part of the war effort. On the understanding that their individual rights will be protected as far as possible they are voluntarily entering into the co-ordination effort with commendable realism and zeal. The result is expected to be worthwhile economy in petrol, the elimination of “dead” running and improved efficiency in the industry.