TRANSPORT RETURNS

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 12

TRANSPORT RETURNS

REGULAR STATISTICS TO BE TAKEN LPek Us i ran Pkess Assocunos.] WELLINGTON, May 2.. tii connection with the inquiry now being undertaken by the Government into the transport systems of the dominion, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) announced to-day that it has been decided to collect regular and systematic statistics in regard to commercial motor transport services. The returns, which will be treated as confidential, will bo made for the traffic in one month of each quarter in the case of organised services running over defined routes, and annually in the case of private business cars and irregular long distance trips. The committee setup to compile these statistics consists of the permanent heads of the Public Works Department, the Post and Telegraph Department, the Railway Department, _ and the Marine Department (the principal departments of State concerned in transport), with Whom are associated the Government Statistician and representatives of the Prime Minister’s department

“Such an inquiry, which has not previously been made (said the Premier) may disclose a needless duplication and overlapping of our means of transport, especially in proposals for the future—for example, a duplication of parallel roads and railways, possibly in some eases where a first-eass road would adequately meet all requirements and save the taxpayer the cost of the railway and its operation. “ The most suitable months suggested for collection were January, April, July, and October. As April is just passed, the first collection will he for the month of May, which, while representative of this quarter, would also have tho advantage of being six’ months from the Inst collection, in November. “ ft was decided, however! that these regular collections should ho confined to organised services running over defined routes. The Government Statistician was accordingly instructed to take the necessary steps for the Hay and future collections. The preparations are well advanced. I wish to make it clear that these returns will not he used for any departmental purpose. Individual returns will’ho'held in the strictest confidence by the Government Statistician, and only the combined results will ho made available to the Transport. Committee and the general public. T would appeal to motor owners engaged in the transport business to assist the work of the committee by supplying the returns as promptly and fully as possible.’'