ROAD CARTAGE OF LOGS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 5

ROAD CARTAGE OF LOGS

COMMITTEE MAKING INVESTIGATION STATEMENT TO JUDGE ARCHER “I think the log-carrying business and several other aspects of the transport inaustry require investigation by a committee of this type. I hope it produces some decision which might be of help to us, and give us something to work on,” said the Transport Appeal Authority (Judge Archer), when he was informed yesterday that such a committee had been set up by the Minister of Transport and Railways (Mr W. S. Goosman).

An appeal by the General Manager of Railways against a decision of the No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority granting an application by J. W. Whitmore and J. D. Balloch for an amendment to their continuous goodsservice licence by extending the area for the cartage of logs and sawn timber from a 30-<mile radius to a 40-mile radius, was adjourned sine die by Judge Archer. Mr J. H. O. Tiller appeared for the Railways Department, and Mr J. S. Haywood for Whitmore and Balloch. Before the hearing of the case by the No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr Haywood had been approached by the department’s advocate, and advised that the Railways Department would seek an adjournment pending the findings of a committee set up by the Minister of Transport, Mr Tiller said. During the discussion, Mr Haywood had been advised that the department would not object to the issue of temporary licences. However, when the case was called the next day, he insisted that it should go on. “In fairness to Mr Haywood, I do not know what went on between him and his clients,” Mr Tiller continued. “The No. 3. Authority insisted that the case be proceeded with. “The department’s evidence has been sent to Wellington for the committee. In view of that, we feel our case was prejudiced—and prejudiced to such an extent that we wish it referred back to the Authority for another hearing, so that we may bring evidence we would have had.”

Judge Archer: What is the status of this committee you refer to? Mr Tiller: The committee consists of representatives of the Railways Department, the secretary of the Timber Millers’ Federation, and representatives of the Transport Department. It has had a number of meetings, but I ‘do not know what evidence has been tendered.

Mr Haywood said on the previous afternoon, before the hearing of the No. 3 Authority, he had personally agreed to the adjournment. He said he could see no reason for refusing *o adjourn the (matter, but he was instructed bv his clients to proceed, because o f their expedience with previous applications and because their business operations were almost “in extremis.” The No. 3 Licensing Authority, upon representations by the district officer of the Transport Department, had adjourned sine die all log and timber haulage applications, pending the findings of the committee set up by the Minister. He had no official knowledge about the committee in general.

“If the committee came to some unanimous decision, I take it their findings would have to be Piven effect to.” Judge /rcher said. “That might Pive your clients a greater or less radius in which to operate.” He suggested that the appeal be adjourned sine die.