TRANSPORT ZONING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20826, 3 July 1942, Page 5

TRANSPORT ZONING

GENERAL APPLICATION SACRIFICES ESSENTIAL TYRE CONSERVATION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. A public meeting which discussed zoning proposals to-day decided that a Wellington central committee should be set up by the North Island zoning officer, comprising two members of the City Council and two from the consumers and thgt to this central committee should be added a representative of the particular industry concerned when its position was being discussed. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, presided and the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. E. L. Lgurenson was present, also the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, who, in committee, stressed the shortage of raw rubber, saying that America herself was not aware of it until an investigation was held and had made a decision that not a single’ tyre should be sold for private rise for the next three years. New Zealand had endeavoured unsuccessfully to get tyres from possible sources. Zoning, in principle, he said, must be applied universally and thoroughly. The regulations were compulsory, There were also pooling regulations which applied most, perhaps, to the taxi industry. To maintain transport, he said, sacrifices must ensue, but must be made. Asked if the committee would have the backing of the Transport Department, he said it was hoped to get the scheme going through voluntary effort, but it was legally compulsory. Objectors in Christchurch had been told that they must start it on a Monday morning and that anyone who objected would have their benzine cut off at 8 a.m., their licenses cancelled at nine and be in court next day. There had been no objections and there would be none in Wellington. The zoning officer, Mr. H, M. ChriSr tie. said that where zoning had been introduced some industries had not played the game. The central committee would be a body to deal with them. It was emphasised thiat zoning was not being imposed by the Government but by the enemy.