N.Z. ROAD TRANSPORT CUT

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1942, Page 4

N.Z. ROAD TRANSPORT CUT

EXTENSIVE ZONING All Licenses Being Reviewed SHORTAGE OF TYRES [Per Press Association. j WELLINGTON, June 24. Far-reaching proposals, involving the re-organisation and the restriction of the road transport services in the Dominion are announced tonight by Hon. R. Semple. Necessary action to give effect to these proposals will begin forthwith. The Minister- said the drastic proposals were necessary to meet a grave situation relating to commercial tyres, and to avoid facing a serious dislocation of road transport, which, as a large part of our production depended on the maintenance of road transport, would be a major disaster. A reasonable service could be maintained only by reserving the country’s tyres for essential work, and making the greatest possible use of other transport services, such as the railways, the tramways, the horsedrawn vehicles, and the- coastal shipping, until further supplies of tyres’ were assured. The new regulations provide for the appointment by the Minister M’ Transport, of Control Committees in the country and town carrying branches, as well as in the taxi branch of the industry. The functions of these committees, which will be appointed to specially-defined districts, will be to receive orders from the public and to allocate them among the- operators available, having regard to the necessity of conserving motor vehicles and petrol and tyres, and the desirability ’ of making a fair and equitable allocation. Mr Semple- said he hoped the committees would comprise the best men in the road transport industry. Under the regulations, the Minister may direct any commmittee on policy matters, and may appoint persons, one of whom is to represent, the local authorities in the area, to advise him in respect to any district. Provision is made for the right of appeal against the decisions of the control committees. The licenses of all of the- route operators where an alternative service is available will be immediately reviewed. The regular timetable mileages of the bus services are to be reduced by 25 per cent., including a reduction of at least 75 per cent, in tho Sunday mileage. All special contract trips for sports teams, sight-seeing, dances, concert parties, group travel, etc., will be discontinued. The licenses authorising service car runs are to be reviewed by appropriate licensing authorities in the light of the present situationin respect of privately-owned and' operated trucks, the regulations provide for the compulsory zoning of the deliveries of all commodities, both wholesale and retail. The minister of Supply and Munitions will advise the Minister of Transport of the commodities and places which he considers should be zoned. Provision is made for the appointment of zoning officers and of local committeesto assist in formulating and administering the scheme. Mr Semple appealed to everyone to help by restricting orders to essential commodities. by carrying wherever possible, their own parcels home, an'd by housewives;, and others in a position to do so, to use passenger transport services only between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.