MAIN PRINCIPLES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 7, 8 July 1931, Page 12

MAIN PRINCIPLES

THE TRANSPORT BILL

CO-ORDINATING SERVICES

MINISTER'S OUTLINE

The main principles embodied in the Transport Licensing Bill were .outlined by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. W. A. Veitch) in the House of Representatives last night, when replying 'to members' questions as to the measure of control proposed. The detailed provisions of the Bill arc summarised under separate headings. The Minister said that the first principle -was the repeal of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act and the extension of its principles to all motor, goods, and passenger services throughout the Dominion. • The Bill did not in any.way deal with privately-owned motor-cars or taxis; it.merely took control of the services used by the public. Under the licensing sections, licences would bo granted to individuals and corporations to run motor services, and certificates of fitness relating to the vehicle used would also be issued. Practically the same principles applied with respect to the ■ goods services and the air services. At present the control of aviation was almost entirely under the Defence Department, and it was not proposod to ' alter that. The Bill, however, laid down the .principle that the machines used for the carriage of passengers would be licensed, and it also prohibited passenger flights between defined routes without a licence. In addition, insurance provision against accidents would be required. Regarding goods services, tho Minister said'it was not proposed to divide the Dominion into areas as was provided in tho case of the passenger services, as that was a much more difficult problem and would have to be handled gradually. The Bill would be administered on the principle that the rights of those who had established services and created vested rights would be protected, in the first .place by the licensing authorities, and secondly by tho right of appeal. • Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon): "Are you depriving the local bodies of tho authority they have?" The Minister: "Only the licensing authority is being taken from them on tho ground that it has been laia down as being contrary to tho principles of British law that no corporation should bo tho deciding authority in the issue of a licence for business between itself and its own. competitor. Mr. J. M/Combs (Labour, Lyttelton): "Docs the same apply to the Government?". ■,' The Minister: "Someone must rule, and tho Minister will appoint to the local licensing authorities representatives specially fitted for the work and not by reason of representative capacity." . COMPETITION WITH EAILWAYS. Eeplying to further questions, the Minister said there was a particularly chaotic condition existing in New Zealand regarding transport, and it was quite impossible for any authority to control it effectively and economically other than the Government or some one set up by the Government by authority of Parliament. Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Independent, (Grey Lynn): "Will the .licensing authorities have power to regulate prices between competing services?""•The'- Minister:""-The- conditions 'of freights and fares will be embodied in tho licences that will be issued by the licensing authorities." ' Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour, Westland): "Will the Bill prevent motor services competing with the railways?" The Minister: "To some extent it will, but it will not drastically or compulsorily eliminate existing services." Mr. O'Brien: "That's not much good; then." The Minister: "Under the existing law services have been created, and the citizens who established them arc entitled to consideration." ■ "Will there be any, general co-ordin-ation?" asked the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr? H. E. Holland). The Minister: "I am quite sure there will be." He added that the evidence he had already showed a general desire for the legislation, and it was quite certain that by voluntary negotiations a great deal of the present competition with the railways would be eliminated. If he were responsible for tho administration of the Act, the principle of elimination without taking into consideration the rights, privileges, and interests of the people concerned would not be practised- The Bill provided that the Crown was bound by the measure, which meant that the Railways Department would have to apply for licences and would be entitled to preference by reason of the fact that it at present held the road. CO-ORDINATION OF SERVICES. The Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) inquired whether, in tho definition of the areas, consideration would be given to existing areas. Mr. Sullivan asked whether there would be any interference with the heavy traffic and drivers' licence fees now paid to local authorities. Tho Minister replied that neither heavy traffic fees nor drivers' licences were affected in. any way. The • Bill aimed merely at the co-ordination of the motor services and the co-ordina-tion of the services with the railways. "We are1 aiming," added Mr. Vciteh, "at a national time-table of services that will be run in tho most complete, comprehensive, and economical way possible." To another questioner, tho Minister said that services which Had been running since a few months back would get automatic licences which would have a currency of twelve months. That would leave about a year and a half to make tho necessary arrangements for co-ordination. Mr. Veitch said that tho Bill would eliminate pirate sorvices. He could not say how many >cal licensing areas would bo set up or what the boundary lines would be. The work could bo better done by leaving the Minister to fix tho areas according'to the needs of experience. As an example, ho stated that the area of tho Auckland Transport Board would undoubtedly bo the licensing area for Auckland.

It was his intention to ask the House to agree to tho second reading of the Bill, pro forma, and havo it referred direct to a Special Select Committee.