CONTROL OF FERRY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 10

CONTROL OF FERRY

Th_- Government should clarify its attitude towards the control of the Cook Strait ferry, suggested Mr S. Burman (Auckland), president of the New Zealand Carriers’ Federation, in his address to the opening session of the federation’s conference in Christchurch yesterday. The scheme was committed. and what had begun with the intention of connecting the two roading systems in New Zealand had, under a Socialist Government, been switched to a connexion between two State-owned and operated railway systems, he said. “Our industry has always maintained that the ferry should be operated by public corporation, with various interests represented." said Mr Burman. “In my opinion, this is the only way that the ferry can be operated for the good of all. and not any one particular phase of transport.” With waterfront congestion caused by the recent influx of overseas shipping and imports. a change in future licensing periods appeared essential, said Mr Burman. “While strikes overseas did have some bearing on the position, the close of the licensing period, coinciding with the Christmas clampdown. appeared to be the main cause of the congestion.” Mr Burman said. Federation's Aims In the last year, the federation had achieved some of its aims, and it was making great progress with others, he said. The return to full-time licensing authorities. increased speed limits, the “tidying up" of some axleweight anomalies, the liberalisation of some gross load limits, progress with the Transport Industry Insurance Company, and plans for the advancement of the carrying industry had al] made the year a satisfying one. The federation would “have to keep the pressure

on” to ensure that petrol and sales taxes were abolished us soon as possible. An amendment to the Heavy Vehicle Regulations this year had resulted in the abolition of the gross weight restriction for any vehicle or combination, while the speed limit for heavy trucks had been increased to 35 miles an hour. Mr Burman expressed gratitude for these concessions, but said the federation must not lessen its efforts to obtain all it wanted and needed for effective operating conditions. In general, he had found the federation and its member associations working efficiently, said Mr Burman. The success of their activities was dependent upon more than paying an annual subscription. "An active and interested membership is essential for success, but I am quite certain that in some areas this does not exist.” Mr Burman said. He made a plea to all members to take part fully in their federation and association discussions and activities. Mr Burman thanked the former Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison) and the former Commissioner of Transport (Mr H. B. Smith), who had always made themselves readily available to discuss representations from the road-transport Industry. He also congratulated Mr McAlpine on his appointment as Minister of Transport, and Mr A. E. Forsyth on his appointment as Commissioner of Transport. “Mr McAlpine has assumed a difficult task with four portfolios—Transport. Civil Aviation. Railways, and Marine—and I wish him well in his new task, and hope he is singularly successful with the Transport portfolio,” Mr Burman said.