TRANSPORT POLICY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 10

TRANSPORT POLICY

Minister Replies To Criticism REASONS FOR CONTROL OF MOTOR TRAFFIC The Minister of Transport, Hou. R. Semple, stated yesterday that the editorial article in that morning s "Dominion,” under the heading of “A Threat to Private Transport,” was ‘ so misleading and based, upon such an obvious misunderstanding of the Government’s transport ■ policy” that he thought some statement showing the real position was necessary. “In the first place,” said Mr. Semple, “I want to deal with the licensing of motor transport goods services. The policy when I took over was to apply meticulous restriction as regards areas of operation, to limit the weight of goods to be carried on each truck, and in many cases to specify the classes of goods which might be carried. These restrictions have now been practically swept away with the idea of restoring to the public the advantage of. the mobility and flexibility of the motor truck. “The whole question of motor taxation is being reviewed with a view to simplifying the present complicated system. The roads are being made safer with the object of encouraging people to use them and preserving human life. A simple national system of control is being adopted in place of the former complicated system of local restrictions under which neither the motorist nor anyone else knew his responsibilities. Far-reaching proposals are being carried out for improving, widening and straightening the highways of the Dominion. Safer Highways. “All these proposals are aimed at promoting the development of all forms of motor transport. And yet the article raises the question as to whether- or not private motor-cars and trucks are to be put off the road. It is suggested that the Government is going to build better and safer roads, with fewer and simpler restrictions on the motoring public and then prevent motor vehicles from running. The idea is preposterous and the article shows a remarkable lack of ordinary common sense. “As I have said before, one of the main points of the Government’s policy is to provide the best roads possible for motoring and to ensure that these roads are not death-traps. By this policy it i s hoped that the benefits of science in the form of the modern ear may be enjoyed by all citizens in this country. Personally I would like to see a motor-ear for every family. “I entirely agree that it would be silly for any Minister of Transport to attempt to drive motor-cars off the roads in New Zealand. It is equally silly to infer that I would attempt this. “The particular powers under the Transport Licensing Amendment Act, 1936, which are misleadingly referred to as a menace to all the private cars and the trucks in the Dominion, were considered by Parliament to be necessary to ensure the successful administration of the transport legislation. As I previously explained, these powers will be used sparingly and only in cases where it is clear that the definite purpose of the Transport Licensing legislation is being frustrated. It has been invoked so far in two instances ; the first where a licensing authority considered it desirable in the public interest to refuse a licence to a service to run between Taumarunui and Auckland, as there were already adequate transport facilities available. In this case, the operator, after the refusal of his application for a licence, continued to operate on a basis which placed him legally outside the scope of the Act. Under the powers referred to, his service on the new basis was declared to come under the provisions of the licensing system and he was prevented from running. Political Propaganda Alleged. “The second Distance was to bring under the Act taxi services carrying beyond Hamilton, passengers of tourist cruise ships calling at Auckland. These services did not come under the legislation until a declaration under the powers referred to had been made. This declaration was made in order to give effect to an agreement that had been reached by the taxi-drivers, the Railway Department, the long-distance road passenger services, and the Tourist Department. The new arrangement is working quite satisfactorily. “In handling this vexed problem of transport, one must expect reasonable and constructive criticism, which I welcome. However, the contents of the article in question are nothing more nor less than vicious political propaganda, definitely designed to misrepresent the Government’s transport policy, with splashes of venom bordering upon scurrility, which is characteristic of 'The Dominion’ and its attacks upon the Labour Government and its administration.’’