NEW TRANSPORT MINISTRY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19545, 15 February 1929, Page 15

NEW TRANSPORT MINISTRY.

COMMISSIONER SELECTED ? PRIVATE CAR-OWNERS AND OTHERS. [T*» rmmu 1 AUCKLAND. February 14. The announcement that preliminary steps have already been taken for the appointment, of a under the new Ministry for Transport, ih<portfolio *or which recently allotted u> the Hon. Mr Vt-ncii. iu received with surprise by a number of member* of the North Lh.n<l Meter Union at the executive meeting in Auckland to-day. Several delegate# the opinion that the organ i ♦.a-.son of the new Department appeared to be developing rapidly. \\itb the influence of the motor trade and heavy traffic users prominent, it was utated that unless the operators of private car*, the largest contributors to taxation, acted promptly, the voice of commercial vehicle owner* would predominate.

The president. Mr A. J. Toogood. of Wellington, referred to the expected conference representing all motorusing interests, which was to be held before the Ministry for Transport commenced to function. Mr Toog<»od said the Ministry would be concerned with taxation and motor legislation. Mr A. J. Curtis, of Wellington, vicepresident of the Master Carriers' Federation. said the conference referred to would not l»e held. He drew the attention of members to 1-tter* »-»nrin 2 on the matter, which had been forward ed to the Union, and said that the next step would be the nppo"*it~ ment of a commissioner. Two name* had been mentioned for the off>rv. hut one had withdrawn. The npposntmeni would bo made br Cabinet. and th»" Commissioner would be or>ntrolled bv any Government Department, although he mifht have the *«v*tance of in Advisory Board. If this were constituted. motorists ahonld he s««red of representation in ratio to their interest. "It will not hj? » polities! board." added Mr C«rti« "It will He a commercial board. in an sdviimrv capacitv, and the Motor I nion will have the opportunity to send representatives." „ . Mr F. Man ton. of Wellington, desrribed the announcement a? a bombshell. and said it should be closely scrutinized to ensure that it was a trade effort to abolish heavy traffic fees and unload taxation cm to private cars. , Mr Curtis said the roan mentioned could be relied on to be fully conversant with all interest*. It was decided to make representations to the IJrine Minister, urg*nc that motorists should be given an «*>» portunity to place their view before the Minister for Transport concerning the I appointment of both a Commtsaioner and an Advisonr Board. It waa ala» decided to hold an earlv conference with the South Island Motor Übmb to discuss the matter. |