UNIFORM CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 218, 15 September 1939, Page 13

UNIFORM CONTROL.

GOVERNMENT'S PLAN.

TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AIM.

(By | ill. — Press Association.) WELLIN(JTON, Thursday. Tho Government aims to bring all forms of public motor transport under a uniform system of national control as a liit-t step in its plan for organising road ti.uisport on the basis of the maximum efficiency to serve the Dominion during the war period, according to the Minis" ter of Transport, the Hon. R'. Semple, in a. statement issued to-night.

"This step has been taken." said Mr. Seiii pie, "in recent transport legislation, which brings town carriers and taxi services under the provision* of the Transpoit Licensing Act. All persons and films engaged in both these classes of motor transport are now required to e applications for licenses straight away. The necessary application forms are being distributed through the appropriate channels."'

I lie next and most important step, continued the Minister, was the organisation ainl co-ordination of all forms of public motor passenger and freight 11 (disport services oil the basis of maximum efficiency. Co-operation Assured. I have been in close consultation with representatives of various branches of public motor transport in the matter," ho continued, "and tliey have conic forward in a wonderful spirit of national service ami assured me that tliev are leady ami willing to offer the services of their organisations to the Government and to do everything in their power to make the road transport industry fullv efficient to meet the demands that may be required of it. The Government has decided to accept •this generous offer and I am immediately setting up district coordinating committees which will workout co-ordinated schemes among all ■ classes of public motor services. They i will consist of representatives of each of | the motor transport interests, the Railway Department and the Transport Department, and will be located at I Whangarei. Auckland. Hamilton. Wliakaj ■tane. (iisborne. Taumarunui. New PlvI mouth, Wanganui. Palmerston North. | Hastings, Masterton, Wellington. Nelson. Grey mouth. Blenheim. Christchurch, Tiiuaru. Oamaru, Duncdin, Alexandria and Invercargill. "The committees will immediately consider schemes for the co-ordination of (ilea operators, town carriers and taxi services in their districts. Road transport, organisations are calling meetings throughout the Dominion immediately to acquaint^,operators with the plan and select their representatives on the committees. Advisory Committee. 'Tt is also proposed." said Air. Semple. 'to set up a national advisory committee, consisting of representatives of the road transport industry, the Railway Department and the Transport Department, to advise the Minister and district committees on various matters in order to ensure the fullest measure of co-operation. It is proposed that there should be one association for each class of operator in each district, with whatever branches are considered necessa rv.

'"While T feel that these proposals will be advantageous to both the general community and the industry in normal times, the fact that we are at war makes tlieni of the utmost importance in fife national interest. My experience with the road transport industry gives me every confidence that it will rise to the occasion. I would like to assure the whole industry that the Government has no desire to dictate to it. but wishes to act in the fullest possible consultation and co-operation with every section of it."