OFFENDERS WARNED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 6

OFFENDERS WARNED

TRANSPORT ACT

MINISTER'S POWERS

The intention of the Government to deal with merchants and others who continue to circumvent the provisions of the Transport Act was expressed by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. •temple) in a Press statement last night.

The Minister said that recently he had met Messrs. E. J. Phelan (AuckJatidi, J. P O. Skoglund (Wellington), •IV H. Langford (Christchurch), and V.. Raines (Dunedin), who acted as the district licensing authorities under the Transport Act. "We discussed a number of matters dealing with the administration of the Act in the light of the experience gained by the licensing authorities," he said. "The licensing authorities drew my attention to a number of instances where their attempts to rationalise motor transport over certain ; routes

with the object of reducing national

transport costs were being frustrated • by merchants and others putting their

own trucks on the road. The legislation provides the power to bring 'ancillary' services of this nature under the Transport Act. The general policy, however, is to use this power sparingly, but I want to emphasise that it will be, invoked in cases where it is clear that the administration of the. Act is being circumvented."

"Another point I should like to emphasise," said Mr. Semple, "is the desirability for all persons, firms, local bodies, etc., obtaining tenders.for road haulage, to make it a condition of the contract that the successful; tendered complies, where necessary, with the provisions of the Transport Act. Cases have arisen where tenders for cartage have been accepted and the road transport operator has subsequently been unable to secure the necessary licence. This has led to confusion and irritation. v I want to make it quite clear that all this trouble can be avoided if business firms and local bodies make compliance with the Transport Act a condition of their contracts for road- transport."