TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 76, 30 March 1928, Page 8

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

EVIDENCE FOR COMMISSION. Rapidity and cheapness. SEPARATE RATING AREAS.

The report appearing in the ickland Star" yesterday concerning the deputation of representatives of Auckland suburban local bodies tl~at waited upon the Prime Minister in regard' to transport matters, was mentioned at last night's conference of delegates held" in the Mount Eden council Chambers. There was a large and representative gathering of delegates presided over by Mr. E. H. Potter.

Mr. Potter, in opening the proceedings, said: "The delegates present this evening submit a report of a conference they had with the Prime Minister on the 19th instant. The conclusion arrived at, at the previous conference, was to the effect that the local bodies definitely decided to support the formation of a transport board, and that decision was conveyed to Mr. Coates by the delegates and the conference this evening must decide to give evidence before the commission in support of a board. "Motor transport is only in its infancy," he said, "and its great development A3 a means of transport for goods and passengers will be responsible for remarkable extension and growth of population in the. heavy traffic district in the near future. The conference this

evening will have to consider not only ' the services at present operating, but the many services that will be undertaken later. Cent -ligation would in- . evitably lose its grip on the greater area, which involves many hundreds of square miles. The local bodies, in recommend - ing the formation of a metropolitan transport board, realise that a rapia and cheap transport is the only solution of the problem, and evidence should be laid before the commission to show that an elected board, representative of 'the whole district from lielensville to Mercer, is the only effective method of dealing with the matter. Such a board should hav_> the powcsr to operate as well as to control, and separate rating areas should be formed, so that outside districts should not be responsible for services which have never operated in their area. To prepare necessary evidence within the time available it will be necessary to employ counsel and to co-operate with them in obtaining evidence in support df a metropolitan transport board. The counsel employed will arrange with ® representative of each i • cal body respecting the evidence to be called, so that the necessities of every district are adequate. lorward." t( It -was moved by Mr. k, M. Bryderi, "That this conference of local bodies' affirm the principle of electing a metropolitan transport ~ .arried unanimously. The conference tL. to go into committee on the motion of Mr. Titchener, lnew Lynn, seconded by Mr. R. G. Clark, One Tree Hall, subsequent to , which Mr. Potter reported that the line of evidence to be laid before the commis- 1 sion and the counsel whom they would ask to present the evidence uad been ] decided upon.