SHIPS v. RAILWAYS

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1934, Page 7

SHIPS v. RAILWAYS

Competition Question (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 15. In the House when Air Veitch’s Transport Law Amendment Bill was called, 'the Speaker said thc bill affected the rights of the Crown, and could not be allowed to- pass. The House allowed Air Veitch to move the second reading. Air Veitch referred to the competition between coastal shipping services and the Railway Board, on (the lines of his speech when introducing the measures. He said that the secondary ports of the Dominion were severely affected. Air Barnard also spuke of' the effect of railway competition on small ports and said the Government should immediately consider the bent possible measure for bringing about co-ordina-tion between all forms of transport. Air Broadwood considered that coordination of overseas shipping should also be considered to obviate vessels having to- call at so many small ports.

Air Gavage said that if the railways were to be run on businesslike lines the Board must be given some measure of freedom in competition. If Air Veitch's bill were passed, the Rail ways Board and Transport Co-ordina-tion Board could not exist side bv side.

Air Clyde Carr said the differentia] rates adopted by the Railway Board operated very unfairly against secondary harbours. Dubious methods were adopted to prevent reasonalle competition with the railways.

Air W. Nash said that at 'the request of the Chambers of Commerce, the Government, he thought wrongly, put the railways under a separate Board and as soon as the 1; ard commenced tu operate, (he C'liambers of Commerce commenced to shout againsit the poicy they formerly ad vocated. Now, the railways were being run competently and efficiently there was no outcry Criticism of the Board from the commercial c mmunitv was not justified but the wages paid to railway servants was noit creditable to the Board or the Government. The wage paid to the most efficient, on gine-driver in the service was £4 18s weekly or after deducting superannuation. rent, insurance and wage tax £2 ,1.7 s lid. Th;.l: was not a fair wage. The Governmenit should immediately

consider all forms of transport, rail, (•( ad. sea and air to reach the cheapest method of shifting goods ami passengers frim place to place. 'l’he bill wns read a second time ami ruled e ut of order.