TRANSPORT BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 101, 10 February 1936, Page 6

TRANSPORT BOARD.

SUSPENSION OF ITS FUNCTIONS. ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER, (Per Press Association.) i BLENHEIM, February 9. “The whole transport system is most unsatisfactory,” declared the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R, Semple) in announcing the immediate suspension of the functions of the Transport CoOrdination Board. “Pending the enactment of legislation reconstructing the scheme of transport control, the Transport Board is to issue no more licenses or hear any more cases of any kind; in other words, they don’t exist so far as their functions are concerned.” The Minister explained that early he appreciated the need to co-ordinate rationally road, rail, sea and air services in the best interests of the country generally, therefore he conferred with the Cabinet which set up a committee comprising the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, the Hon. F. Langstone, the Hon. 11. Semple with the General Manager of Railways, the Commissioner of Transport, and the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department. This committee, in making a'complete investigation, cabled to Queensland and South Africa, as well as other parts of the Empire, seeking information of transport experiences and laws to assist in drafting fresh New Zealand legislation, which it was hoped would bo ready by next session, The Minister condemned the prevailing cut-throat competition with accompanying sweated labour, and also expressed dissatisfaction with the present legislation which made the Minister just a rubber stamp. These remarks were elicited by a deputation of settlers protesting against an alleged gross licensing injustice. The spokesman said it had been a bugbear for 18 months. “It won’t be a bugbear for another 18 months, that I can promise,” grimly replied the Minister. Interviewed subsequently Mr Semple made it clear that tlie Transport Foard was completely suspended. It would not issue new licenses or consider appeals pending new legislation vbich would be introduced shortly. The district licensing authorities wore not affected so far as ordinary business, including the renewal of licenses, was concerned.