NOT FORCED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 30, 15 November 1939, Page 2

NOT FORCED

THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS. STATEMENT BY AUTHORITY. (Per Press Association.> WANGANUI, November 14. “To allay any fears that transport operators may have by reason of statements reported to have been made by the Hon. Adam Hamilton at Pahiatua on November 11, I wish to make this statement,” said Mr P.'•Skoglund, No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority, when the Authority held a public sitting at Wanganui to-day. “Mr Hamilton’s statement having been made in the No.. 2 Authority’s district, the public might gain the impression that No. 2 Authority has been acting ip a manner as stated by Mr Hamilton, who is reported as saying that operators have been forced off the road without compensation,” said Mr Skoglund. “No operators have been forced off the road in Nb. 2 district under circumstances mentioned by Mr Hamilton.”

Mr Skoglund added: “Mr Hamilton is also reported as having said that operators are being bluntly told that unless they agree to combine with other interests and sink their individuality and independence, they will have their licences cancelled. Insofar as No. 2 district is concerned, this statement is entirely incorrect. If any operators in No. 2 district merge their interests it will be entirely on a voluntary basis. The only degree of compulsion used will -be in the direction of requiring carriers to join their appropriate associations. This action is being taken in the interests of carriers themselves in the hope that co-opera-tion may be achieved.” Mr Skoglund continued: “Mr Hamilton is also reported as having said that the Government’s policy is definitely in the direction of wiping out individual private transport interests so far as to give the industry to transport monopolies, and ultimately to become a State monopoly. In this connection both the Prime Minister and' the Minister of Transport have stated publicly that it is not the intention of the Government to nationalise road transport. With the implication of faith n the statements of the Ministers mentioned, the nolicy of No. 2 Authority is directed accordingly.” Mr Skoglund stated further: “Another matter to which I wish to refer is to a reported resolution by farmers at Dannevirke some weeks ago when they objected to compulsory merging of carrying interests in Southern, Hawke’s Bay. I can only repeat that nowhere 1 in No. 2 district are carriers compelled to merge their interests, nor wall No. 2 Authority approve of any compulsion being used in this direction.”

THE GOODS SERVICES. i # / POSITION OF PRIVATE OPERATORS. i . WANGANUI, November 14. “I want it clearly understood insofar as the Authority is concerned that operators will not be allowed to take advantage of the absence of the railway road services to build up their own businesses,” said Mr P. Skoglund, No. 2, Transport Licensing Authority, at a public sitting here to-day, when, referring to those goods services belonging to private, operators -which had been allowed to continue operating since certain railways roads services, for reasons already explained, had been withdrawn from roads. *' Mir Skoglund said that it was intended that t ; hose operators should continue as in the past, and a tariff schedule! would be available soon, probably within the next fortnight. The rates would be rail rates, nlus five per cent, to cover the picking up and setting down of goods at each end.