"RAFFERTY RULES"

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 58, 9 March 1928, Page 11

"RAFFERTY RULES"

BUSES TO TITAHI BAY GOVERNMENT CONTROL URGED The licensing- of buses using the roads between Wellington and Titahi Bay. and the control of these buses wero matters referred to by the chairman of the Makara County Council (Councillor E. Wihdley) at to-day's meeting of the council. '•Under the Act," said Councillor Windloy, we are entitled to be consulted bolyre licenses aro granted. The Licensing Committee has failed'to do this in the past, but when the first license was granted they very carefully consulted this body in connection with the granting of that license. Since then buses have gone on UK; road,' and—well it is simply ;• case of rafferty rules' now as far as I am able to judge. It is absolutely contrary to the Act, and I think we are entitled to ask the Lie«nsing Committee to give an explanation as to why we have been "ignored. My^ own view of the matter is that we are entitled to consideration for many reasons." They recognised that bus services were very essential, but at present their control appeared to be in1 anyone's hands. So far as he was able to judge the position would bo very much tho snme as it was in connection''-with tho Hntf buses. He was convinced that sooner or later they should usk the Government to supply the services. They saw to-day nn economic waste—a waste from the bus proprietor's point of view and their point of view because the_ buses were simply tearing the road to picces'between Porirua and Titahi Bay. / "Now, I fail to see," added Councillor Windtey, "why tho taxpayer should find the money to provide an opportunity to private individuals for making a pile or losing it, whichever they choose. Obviously the railways arc suffering, and if anyone is entitled to the revenue I say it is the State. Taxpayers made that rond —they have made it safe-for buses—and I say the State is entitled to tho revenue." On the motion of Councillor Windley, seconded by Councillor Prosser, it was decided to write the licensing authority asking for an explanation as to why the counuiPhad not received consideration in the matter of. the granting of licenses, and to urge the Government ;to assume .control of the bus services immediately.; ■ y • . is