TRANSPORT CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 130, 26 February 1929, Page 10

TRANSPORT CONTROL

FUNCTIONS OF ADVISORY COUNCIL

MOTOR TAXATION CONFERENCE

SCOPE OF INQUIRY DEFINED The constitution and functions of the Transport Advisory Council, together with the scope of the inquiry of the forthcoming motor taxation conference, were announced by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) yesterday.

“Regarding organisation of transport,” said the Prime Minister, “in addition to the appointment of the Minister of Transport (Hon. W. A. Veitch), the setting up of a Transport Advisiory Council has been authorised. This will consist of one representative to be appointed by the Government to act as chairman, one representative to be nominated by the North and South Island Motor Unions, one representative to be nominated by the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Federation, one representative to be appointed by the Labour organisations, one representative to be nominated by the omnibus proprietors, one representative to be nominated by the service car proprietors, one representative to be nominated by the wholesale and retail motor trade, one representative to be nominated by the New Zealand Counties’ Association, and one representative to be nominated by the New, Zealand Municipal Association. “The council will work in conjunction with the Minister'and- the Commissioner who is to be appointed. The Commissioner will be the administrative head of the Department, and the council is to advise the Minister on all matters coming within the functions of the Department which may be referred to it. “In October last,” the Prime Minister continued, “the late Government notified the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Federation that a joint conference would be arranged .early in March for the purpose of discussing motor taxation in all its aspects, and the motor regulations particularly. An intimation was given that the conference would be attended by representatives of motor vehicle owners, county councils, municipalities, Main Highways Board, Public Works Department, and possibly other Interested bodies. The Master Carriers’ Federation was also notified that it would be allowed four delegates to the conference. ' “It is intended to convene this conference as soon as possible, and Cabinet has decided that the following subjects be included in the agenda paper, and that the conference be requested to submit its views on these matters to the Government: —

“(1) What amendment should be made to the existing legislation ana .regulations relating to motor vehicles.

“(2) An outline of the direction in which it is considered the incidence of the different taxes on motor vehicles is excessive or inequitable; to what extent is this so, and what adjustments should be recommended?

“(3) The direction in which the allocation of the revenue is inequitable. To what extent and what adjustments should be made? “(4) What immediate, action should be taken in the public interest to ensure that existing services aye being run with due regard to safety, particularly in respect to the hours of duty of the men employed and to the conditions of their employment.”.

The Prime Minister added that all matters affecting revenue and expenditure under its various branches would, of course, be referred to the Minister of Finance for final consideration. .