Carriers Seek Higher Rates In all Areas

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 3

Carriers Seek Higher Rates In all Areas

AUCKLAND, March 21. Applications by carriers for increased cartage rates in all rate and no-rate schedule areas in New Zealand to cover increased costs brought about by the current wage increases, are being heard by a Goods Service Charges Tribunal, comprising Sir Francis Frazer (chairman), Messrs A. C. A. Sexton and M. Simson. The applications are brought by the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance; the New Zealand Carriers' Federation, and three Waikato Carriers' Associations. Mr H. J. Knight, representing the Transport 'Alliance, said that it esti-, mated that operating costs had increased by over 50 per cent, since before the war, and only a small proportion of the increased cost had been passed on. The industry could not continue to absorb still further rising costs. Mr L. J. Lyons, of Wellington, speaking for town carriers, said that to operate the new award, carriers would have to pay more overtime or reduce hours and do less work. Opposition to a general increase in rates sought by the carriers was expressed by Mr F. Phillipa, representing the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, and 13 other counties’ Service charges, when the Tribunal continued the hearing. He made various submissions on the farmers’ behalf, and, referring to overtime, said that this may be incurred by carriers for cream carting on about forty Saturdays of the year, and forty Sundays, but the cream contracts are not the subject of rate fixation by the Tribunal, being a matter for separate contracts with varying prices, where varying conditions for back loading obtain. The dairy companies had expressed willingness to consider the revision of existing contracts on their merits.

The hearing concluded, the Tribunal reserving its decision.