ROAD TRANSPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 253, 24 October 1936, Page 10

ROAD TRANSPORT.

LABOUR CONDITIONS.

REPLY MADE TO MINISTER. 'UNWARRANTED STATEMENT.' (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON", this day. A statement issued by the Road Transport Alliance contains comments on a number of points in the regulations dealing with the licensing of goods services which were announced by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, as having been circulated to interested parties. In referring to the statement that "The Government considers that the labour conditions in the transport industry are at present most unsatisfactory, and must be improved," the Al'iance states that the industry feels that such a sweeping statement is unwarranted, in view of the fact that large so >tions of the industry have for years worked under awards, which have been fix<-d by mutual arrangement. Furthermo: e, an agreement for a Dominion drivers' award has recently been reached in Conciliation Council, and is now operative. "The Government's decision, which dispossesses road services on routes running parallel with the railways, is a mistake," says the statement. "The Government has seen fit to embank 011 a policy of railway protection at what many well-informed circles consider is likely to be the public cost in the ''. ss of facilities now available; However, the Alliance commends the Minister fir the fair way in which he has honoured his promise that the Government would not deal harshly or ruthlessly wit:i any licensed road operator whose license is to be determined."