ROAD FREIGHT SERVICES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25250, 31 July 1947, Page 3

ROAD FREIGHT SERVICES

ACCELERATING FLOW OF GOODS

REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO LICENCES “There is everywhere a demand for a service by roads for particular classes of goods, and if the Railway Department bought a road transport business I think it should operate that licence and if it does not operate it, it should not use the licence as a bar to the application by another person for a licence over the same route.” These remarks were made by the No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr V. Raines) yesterday, after he had heard an application by Service Transport and Agency, Ltd., Amberley, for amendments to existing vehicle authorities.

The applicants, who were represented by Mr C. V. Lester, sought permission for a daily service carrying stock between Amberley and Christchurch, and an amendment to permit a greater selection of goods carried on return trips. The Railways Department. represented by Mr E. C. Brittenden. objected to- the proposed amendments.

Recent industrial developments in the Kowal and Waipara counties were referred to by Mr Lester in support of the application. It was in the public interes? he said, 'that the whole transport service should be overhauled so that the industry might accelerate the flow of available goods. Goods were available to justify the proposed service, and any objector should show that he could deliver the goods as expeditiously as the applicants could.

"It is obvious that with the shortage of goods and services there is a worldwide need to accelerate the flow of available goods,” he continued. "Throughout the world, air transport services are being started, and it is common in New Zealand for merchants to order goods for delivery by air. "The railways should have some preference, but we should view the preference to which they are entitled in the light of the present shortages. Any business tends to find Its proper level in the economic structure, and if sufficient goods become available to meet the demand, deliveries by rail, if cheaper in terms of money, will show a tendency to increase over the road transport deliveries The present shortages cause merchants to go to road transport for the most expeditious service, and that is in the public interest as delays have far-reaching effects.”

Protection for Railways Railways were, under the terms of the transport regulations, given protection for distances exceeding 30 miles of open Government railway, Mr Brittenden said during his submissions. In the present case, although the distance by road was less than 30 miles, the distance by rail was 33 miles and a half.

It was necessary for the encouragement of primary producers that a transport service should carry such commodities as grain, manures, and fertilisers at very low rates, he continued. The economical operation of the railways, and the welfare of the country as a whole, required a rate structure which would allow low-grade traffic to be handled at low rates. To maintain the structure there would need to be a maintenance of the density of the traffic both in the low and high grades. Motor transport operators were not greatly concerned with the public interest, he submitted, but mainly with their own profits. Consequently operators seldom attempted to cater for commodities which were carried at a low rate on the railways.

H was submitted that the railways provided an economical and efficient service for all classes of goods, and that the proposed competitive service was not necessary or desirable.

The Minister of Railways held a licence service between Christchurch and Waiau, Mr Brittenden said. In . accordance with the Government’s desire HmSJ r wa ate r ? U and ‘ road services, the I’hfn 0 * 6 u Ot o P er a te d. except on a shed-to-shed basis, but if it was necesnarfmtO+ provide » a road serv ice, the deed f? It i Cl irt ln L the Protection allow- ?? u was laid down that no licence should be granted for a goods service an d l*™?3l*? 31 * the same tefrXS d route as any goods service Minister? 0 * iOT whlch was held the

‘Co-ordination breaks down when area operators are not satisfied with their existing rights.” Mr Brittenden added

... Conference Suggested I agree generally with the remarks bv ™AJSft I S e t a o P «’e ‘foV tTe Produce™ ?o “>nsu m "r? In try districts, said Mr Raines I also agree that all sections of the and thls deludes Governdepartments, should make the utmost effort for that flow of goods. It tarested* * confer 'n« of all In"If I was to do what I am asked to do it would alter the policy of the Government, which is to limit to 30 miles the ♦h e ? a T ered trans Port operators where there is a rail service. I no'Jce in the new spa pers that the Road Transport Nationalisation Bill in England provided .for a limit of 40 miles for road haulage is S f id oft ® n /hat road transport is entitled to great freedom but It is a matter of Government policy. "I take it that all Government departto z see utmost facilities for the flow of goods Having bought out road transport licences throughout the country, the Government says it does not wish to operate them because it wishes to tf Wi |b ro ? d transport operators. If the policy is not going to be accepted, and we are going to have these applications, it seems that the Railways Department will have to consider operating on the routes over which it holds licences. „ „ , Decision Reserved Mr Raines said he would reserve his decision until he had considered the application of Transport (North Canterbury), of its rights on the Amberley-Christchurch service, and for an amendment to its area rights for the cartage of shingle, sand, spoil, and road-making materials. Decision on this application was also reserved. “The Railway Department should agree, if there is a definite shortage of railway waggons at the present time, to some increase in route services, for a specified period. Mr Raines said. "This would be covered by a letter from the operator, setting out that the Increases are agreed to only for a specified period, and on the undertaking from him to have them de-

leted when the supply of waggons improves.” The areas of the two licences should be amended to give the firms the right to go right into Christchurch, subject to the 30 miles rail restriction clause, and with the restriction against the picking up and setting down of goods in the town area, to prevent competition with town operators, Mr Raines said.