POWERS IN TRANSPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 208, 3 September 1929, Page 9

POWERS IN TRANSPORT.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE ACTIVE

LOCAL BODIES CONCERNED,

AUCKLAND SUPPORTS CHRIST-

CHURCH.

The Auckland Transport Board decided this morning to support the Christehureh Tramway Board in its desire to protect- the interests of local bodies engaged .in transport activities when the newly-appointed Transport Advisory Council considers the rival claims of public and private concerns. Private trading interests were seeking to diminish the powers of local bodies and also to break down- the measure of protection which present legislation had afforded, stated the general manager of the Christehureh Tramway Board, in a letter. Mr. E. H. Potter said he was not prepared to support the general primof excluding private enterprise in the outer areas from a share in the transport work. Every encouragement should be given to private enterprise. Recalling that the question had been fully debated at the last municipal conference, Mr. L. E. Rhodes said there was no desire to prevent private enterprise from engaging in legitimate business, but public services must be safeguarded. * As there was only one'representative of the local bodies, the Mayor of Wellington, on the Advisory Council, Mr. A. J. Entrican said the Mayor of Auckland should be asked to co-operate with him. Private enterprise was always welcomed if it gave good service at a reasonable price, added Mr. Entrican. Services that would not pay tlio Transport Board would not pay private owners, and the result might be that many people would be deprived of services they already enjoyed. Mr. M. J. Coyle: We are not the only Transport Board in the world set up and constituted as we are? Mr. J. A. C. Allum (chairman): Yes. Mr. Coyle: Well, we should have a representative in Wellington. It was decided to support the Christchurch Tramway Board in its action and to give evidence when required, before a Parliamentary committee.