TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 25618, 19 October 1945, Page 8

TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

PRIORITY FOR RETURNED MEN MINISTER'S STATEMENT QUERIED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 18. Doubt whether the statements by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. J. O’Brien, as reported, that returned men rehabilitated in the transport industry would be given priority, even over the Crown, conveyed what was actually in the Minister’s mind, as the Transport Act gave priority to the State, was expressed by Mr T. IT. Langford, No. 3 Transport ,Licensing Authority, in hearing a case at a sitting in Christchurch to-day.

During this case also is was disclosed for the first time that consideration had been given recently to a proposal to declare national routes, defining the spheres of operation of State and private transport interests. Only a week ago a conference had been held in Wellington concerning a matter which might affect the returned serviceman applicant detrimentally, and which he had known about. Mr Langford said he referred to the proposed declaration of national highways. He was informed that almost certainly the Bluff-Picton highway would be a national route. He was bound to consider this in deciding the b'est interest of the applicant, who was considering an expenditure of about £3.000. Air R A. Cuthbert said that the Returned Services Association welcomed the Minister’s statement that returned men would have priority over the Crown and public bodies. Mr Langford: Of course, it is easy to make that statement, but the law would have to be amended. Ministerial statements could still be helpful, said Mr Cuthbert. if there was to be legislation providing for State transport on declared national highways. Mr Cuthbert added it must be assumed that there would be reasonable compensation for a man holding a license on a route.

Tlie assumption might be wrong. Mr Langford said. Bus proprietors were inclined to barter with the railways over routes which did not parallel the railways. Mr Cuthbert said that the rehabilitation principle in which the Returned Services Association was interested was whether the Minister’s jiromise would be honoured. He submitted a newspaper report of the Minister’s statement.

To a submission by Mr Jr S. Haywood (district officer of the Transport Department) that the hearing of the new application in the circumstances created a delicate situation, Mr Langford said that he would give his decision and take all responsibility. The hearing was adjourned.