TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Evening Star, Issue 22336, 12 May 1936, Page 8

TRANSPORT SYSTEM

IMPORTANT CHANGES PLANNED LICENSING AMENDMENT BILL INTRODUCED LARGE POWERS TRANSFERRED TO MINISTER [From Our Parliauihtart Reporter.] WELLINGTON, May V2. Important changes in the transport system of tho Dominion are provided for in tho Transport Licensing Amendment Bill, to bo introduced into the House this evening by Governor-Gene-ral’s Alessage.

The Transport Co-ordination Board is abolished as from April 1 last, and its powers are transferred to the Minister of Transport. The Minister is also to become the sole licensing authority for commercial aircraft services.

Under the present law there is a metropolitan licensing authority in each of the four main centres, and a district licensing authority for every other transport district. Each district licensing authority now consists of three members, but it is proposed to authorise the Minister of Transport to substitute a, district licensing authority of one member for the present licensing authorities of three members.

The Central Licensing Authority established under section 5 of the Transport Licensing Act. 1931, is abolished. Originally tho central licensing authority had sole jurisdiction in the granting of licenses extending into two or more transport districts. By section 15 of the Transport Law Amendment Act, 1933, its jurisdiction was altered and its authority was limited to services specified by the Governor-Gene-ral in Council, whether wholly within a district or extending into two or more districts.

The functions of the Central Licensing Authority will in future bo the functions of a metropolitan authority or a district licensing authority. Another clause simplifies the procedure for hearing applications for the renewal, transfer, or amendment of licenses. Tho present law requires that in every case such applications must be dealt with at a public sitting of the licensing authority. The Bill proposes to remove the necessity for holding a public sitting before granting an application in cases where, after public notice of application has been given, no representations against the granting oi tho application have been received by the licensing authority.

Another clause substitutes the service of personal notice on all persons interested for notice by advertisement in cases where the licensing authority pro-: poses to hold an inquiry into the manner in which any passenger service is being carried on by a licensee. Under section 34 of the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, the appropriate licensing authority may alter the terms of a license of its own motion, or on an application made by the licensee. Under section 3 of the Transport Licensing Amendment Act, 1935, the licensing authority may revoke a license after investigation at a public sitting where the conditions have materially altered since the issue of the license.

It is proposed in the Bill to repeal the section last referred to, and to substitute wider powers, giving to a licensing authority power to review a license on its own motion, or by direction of the Minister, and to revoke it, or alter its terms and conditions.

The Bill provides for abolition of the Transport Co-ordination Board to be made retrospective to April 1 last, and confers on tho Minister the powers formerly exercisable by the board as to making inquiries into matters relating to transport facilities, and so on. Another clause gives right of appeal to the Minister from_ tho decisions of the licensing authorities. The decision of tho Minister on any such appeal is to be final. It is proposed in another clause to repeal section 30 of the Transport Law Amendment Act, 1933, and to make more comprehensive provisions _ for bringing within the scope of the principal Act (as if they were passenger services) certain classes of motor services that are not technically passenger services. The power to bring such services within the scope of the principal Act is to be exercised only if the Minister is of opinion that it is necessary or desirable in the public interest to do so. The Bill makes the Minister of Transport tho solo licensing authority for commercial aircraft services. The procedure with respect to notification of intention to hold a public inquiry into the conduct of any aircraft. service is modified by substituting service of personal notice on all persons interested for notice by advertisement.