COMMON POLICY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 84, 10 April 1945, Page 4

COMMON POLICY

TRANSPORT LICENSES ASSISTANCE TO SERVICEMEN "A few operators have failed to make their applications for renewal and if they are still continuing their services they are committing an offence," said the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. E. J. Phelan, when commenting to-day on the new regulation which made it mandatory for all road transport operators, whether they had buses, service cars, taxi-cabs jr trucks, to make application by March 28 last fgr renewal of their licenses. Mr. Phelan said that it was possible that those who had not lodged renewal applications did not desire to continue the services they were operating. Their- names had been handed to the enforcement branch of the Department for inquiry and action if necessary. Licenses that were totally suspended owing to operators having to go on active service or do other work connected with the war were not affected by the new regulation, nor were holders of ancilliary licenses. Referring to the proposed review of licenses generally, Mr. Phelan said an investigation would not be held until after all the licensing authorities had attended a conference in Wellington on April • 16. The Minister of Transport, Mr. O'Brien, and the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. Laurenson, would be present and a common policy of procedure would be laid down so that all districts would deal with operators in the same way. Many Applications A considerable number of applications were being received for additional licenses, said Mr. Phelan, and he was concerned with the effect that the granting of applications would have on the transport industry. It appeared from information in his possession that there were sufficient licenses and vehicle authorities adequately to handle all work, but the allocation of the licenses, due to changing conditions, was now inequitable. At the present time many trucks were engaged in connection with the Karipiro hydro-electric works. When that job was completed the need for many of those vehicles would .disappear. Similar conditions obtained in other districts, and he was aware that there were licenses and vehicle authorities not being operated. To safeguard the industry he desired to have particulars of any such licenses or vehicle authorities in order that they might be suspended or revoked, or taken into account when new applications were being dealt with. On the question of the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen—in particular those who were engaged in the industry before going on military service —Mr. Phelan said he proposed to give those men first consideration in all cases of transfers of licenses. The Government's policy in respect to licenses suspended on account of the operators having to join the forces was that the men should have their licenses back on return. He appealed to all those holding multiple licenses or authorities to re lease some of them to enable them to be re-allocated to ex-servicemen He desired to establish a pool of available licenses • and authorities which could be drawn upon for deserving cases. The pool would, thus provide a safeguard to the industry as a whole.