BUS PROPRIETORS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 11

BUS PROPRIETORS

Annual Conference Held The seventh annual meeting and conference of members of the New Zealand Motor Omnibus Proprietors’ Association was held in Wellington recently. The conference was a most-re-presentative oue, operators attending from various parts of New Zealand. In the absence from New Zealand of Mr. Norman Bell, the chair was occupied by Mr. D. F. Smillie, Palmerston North, who welcomed the delegates and expressed tbe hope that the result of their deliberations would be of benefit to all operators. The conference passed a resolution of appreciation to Mr. Bell for the valuable work done by him in the past in the interests of operators generally, and many expressed regret at being unable to attend the farewell gathering tendered him before his departure from New Zealand. It was decided that a letter of appreciation be forwarded him with the best wishes of qll members for his future. In the presidential report reference was made to the sound financial position of the association as disclosed by the accounts and balance-sheet. Congratulations were also conveyed to the secretary, Mr. C. L. Bishop, for his having been awarded the New Zealand Society of Accountants’ gold medal for research in local government. Special reference was also made in the report to the valuable help given by the commissioner and officers of the Transport Department during the year, and congratulations were extended to Mr. Lauronsen upon his appointment to the position of commissioner.

The election of officers of the association resulted as follows: — President, Mr. D. F. Smillie, Palmerston North; vice-presidents, Messrs. L. J. Keys. Auckland, and G. S. Kirby, Dunedin: executive committee, Messrs. N. B. Silencer, Auckland; IV. Taylor, Takapuna : 11. Wilcox, Gisborne; and K. Laugosen, Christchurch.

Delegates present at the conference discussed at length many matters of vital importance to all omnibus proprietors, including the possible reduction of heavy traffic fees; comprehonMve insurance, and the proposed now award for drivers. ’l’lie delegates also waited upon the Commissioner of Transport, and placed before him various matters which had come under discussion at tlie conference.