WASTE OF FUEL ALLEGED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23445, 27 September 1941, Page 3

WASTE OF FUEL ALLEGED

Government Bus Services MOTORISTS’ CRITICISM Waste of petrol by Government buses pn regular routes and on special trips duplicating routes provided with reasonable express railway service was criticised by automobile association representatives at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union yesterday. Discussion arose in consideration of a remit from the Automobile Association (Otago). The original remit provided: “That where service cars or omnibuses are running parallel to or in competition with the existing railway train services, they be eliminated altogether while petrol rationing is necessary; that where service cars or omnibuses run for the latter part of the journey only alongside the railway they be allowed to operate only from the most convenient railway station nearest where they first meet the rail; that the use of service cars or omnibuses for special trips to places already served by existing railway and bus services be prohibited while petrol rationing is necessary.” Other associations besides Otago had evidence of what is going on, said Mr P, F. Harre (Otago), in proposing the remit. He gave some examples, all observed on one day recently, of a bus from Timaru being seen at Chertsey going south with no passengers; of a bus six miles south of Timaru, bearing the destination “Temuka,” but going south again with no passengers; two buses bound from Timaru to Oamaru carrying a total of eight passengers; and also of three buses bound from Oamaru to Dunedin with a total of 18 passengers in all three. The association had been accused by the authorities of making incorrect statements, but the remit was framed on correct observation, he said. He gave examples of buses used for long distance special trips. He regarded it as his duty to move this remit. Mr G. W. Ferens (Otago) said accusations of political bias had been made. They were giving the Government “the low-down" on the feeling of the average commercial man. They were in favour of petrol rationing, and satisfied of its necessity. What they were against was inequality of sacrifice. The reply to those who said the proposal would put men out of work was that what was asked was restriction of services and not elimination. “I am not happy about this resolution; it is asking the Government to eliminate all competition with the railways,” said Mr C. M. Rout (Nelson). “It hits a lot of people who have been fighting hard against the Government to keep their services going. It is Government waste we are aiming at, and the passing of this remit in its present form will do harm to a number of quite innocent people.” Mr Harre: The remit was framed for Government vehicles only. The wording could be altered. . Mr Rout; On the Blenheim to Christchurch route, are we going to ask the Government to do it, and' not the others? ~ , Mr Harre: The wording could be “adequate" railway service. Mr Rout: Than what about the Wel-lington-Napier and Wellington-Wa-nganui bus routes? Mr R. P. Furness (Marlborough) said his own experience coming from Blenheim was informative. Two private buses coming cfll the way through to Christchurch were full. The Government’s own bus, going only to Hundalee, the railway terminal, was almost empty. At the suggestion of the chairman (Mr W. R. Carey) the remit was redrafted and later aporoved as follows; — “That in the interests of petrol economy the use of Government vehicles for special trips to places already served by existing railway and bus services be prohibited while petrol rationing is necessary, and ‘ that in cases where Government-owned vehicles are operating alongside railway lines where express trains oner a reasonable and comfortable service, such road services be discontinued.”