HIGHER COSTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20987, 14 December 1939, Page 3

HIGHER COSTS

TRANSPORT RATES RAISED ELIMINATION OF WASTE (Special ;c Times) NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday Recognising that tyres, petrol and oil have increased in price by 5 per cent since the transport operators’ price schedule was issued in February Mr P. O. Skoglund, No. 2 Licensing Authority, at New Plymouth today decided to increase the schedule prices by 3 1-3 per cent. This will mean that two-thirds of the increase will be borne by the user and one-third by the transport operator. Mr Skoglund said it was obvious that, for the successful prosecution of the Dominion’s war effort, it was necessary to conserve to the utmost the Dominion’s financial resources. The transport industry could play an important part by the elimination of waste, and to this end the business community and primary producers could assist by making greater use of the transport services already established. As the war continued so must the cost of commodities imported from overseas increase, at the source of supply and in transportation. “It can, I am sure,” said Mr Skoglund, “be recognised by everyone that the same amount of money will purchase a much smaller quantity of such goods in the coming year compared with purchases in the current year, and for that reason it is I imperative in the national interest that economy in use must be ob- j served.” The transport authority must j recognise those facts in deciding : whether the granting of a license j was necessary or desirable in the j public interest. Transport operators j could assist the authority by asking for minimum requirements for their businesses. “This appeal,” Mr Skoglund added, “is made more particularly to ancillary users and to other operators in competition with the railway. They are asked, for the duration of the war at least, to make greater use of the railway service. It may cost a little more, but, as a war effort, the suggestion is recommended for their favourable consideration. “If the co-operation asked for is given the authority feels that it will obviate the necessity for any drastic actioh that otherwise might have to be taken by him, in his conception of what is best to be done in the national interest as far as road transport is concerned.”