NATIONAL TRANSPORT BOARD

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 10

NATIONAL TRANSPORT BOARD

INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

PROTEST FROM THE SOUTH

Dominion Special Service.

Christchurch, February 26.

The constitution of the National Transport Advisory Board proposed by the Government does not meet with the approval of motorist officials in Christchurch. Mr. P. R. Harman, secretary of the South Island Motor Union, and Mr. J. S. Hawkes, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association, to-day complained of the representation on the board and of failure to consult motoring interests. Mr. Harman said that the proposal evidently was to have on the board one member representing the North and South Island Motor Unions. It was not sufficient. Motorists generally in New Zealand were about 183,000 strong; probably 150,000 of those were private car owners. They all have the same representation as the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Association and other organisations, which represented trade interests and did not care for the interests of the great mass of users of the roads. Mr. Harman complained particularly that the motorists’ organisations have not been informed of the proposals. The previous Minister of Public. Works, he said, promised to arrange a conference to discuss questions of general interest to motorists, but all Mr. Harman knew was obtained from references in the newspapers. The previous Minister asked for two representatives of the South Island Union, who stated that it would send representatives if a date for the conference was fixed. s The delegates were appointed, but nothing further was heard of it.

“We feel that it would be ridiculous to be dominated by a board composed of the worst users of the roads,” Mr. Hawkes said. “The ridiculousness of our having only one representative is obvious. We might as well stop at home. We have nothing to guide us. We are in the dark in taxation and other matters. Their interests are opposed to ours.”

Mr. Harman has received the following telegram from the secretary of the North Island Motor Union:—“ls your union taking any action in regard to. the Prime Minister’s statement that one motorists’ representative will be included on the proposed Advisory Board? Obviously it is not sufficient representation. I suggest immediate concerted action.”

To this Mr. Harman replied: “I agree that it is advisable to take concerted action; I am endeavouring to make arrangements to submit a date for a conference in Christchurch of the North and South Island unions.”