ROAD TRANSPORT CHARGES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23941, 7 May 1943, Page 4

ROAD TRANSPORT CHARGES

TRIBUNAL’S POLICY OUTLINED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 6. The procedure to be adopted by the recently - created Goods Services Charges Tribunal was outlined to-day by the chairman (Sir Francis Frazer) to a conference held in Wellington by interested organisations. The tribunal’s functions were twofold, said Sir Francis Frazer. It had taken over the work of the licensing authorities, but had also become part of the price stabilisation administration. The policy the Government desired to be followed had been outlined in a letter received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), with which agreement had been expressed by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. J. O’Brien).

Explaining this policy. Sir Francis Frazer said that the purpose was to maintain an adequate and efficient service and to maintain a general level of charges which would not involve a departure from stabilisation. The tribunal was directed to refer any matter to the Minister jf Industries and Commerce where it was found that departure from this policy was the only means of keeping a service going efficiently, and consideration would then be given by the Minister as to whether the necessary additional revenue would be provided by increased transport charges or by some alternative method, such as subsidies. The policy of the Government was to stabilise transport charges and principal cost items at the general level existing on December 15, 1942. Each district would be dealt with separately. The first sitting would be in Hamilton, and the second in Palmerston North. The next two districts would be Timaru and the Bay of Plenty. To a questioner, Sir Francis Frazer said that the tribunal’s administration covered road transport only.

In reply to Mr W. W. Mulholland as to applications for changes in the rates schedule. Sir Francis Frazer explained that while the tribunal did not wish to put any obstacle in the way of settlements by agreement, it would have to review these strictly in the light of the stabilisation regulations.