SEVEN FIRMS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1940, Page 3

SEVEN FIRMS

• - ON TRANSPORT MERGER (Per Press Association —Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 17. The compulsory merger of seven firms into the existing Transport (North Canterbury), Ltd., which was ordered by the No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority in July has not ■ yet taken place. An appeal on beliali of some of the firms was made to the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) against the ruling, and in his decision now announced lie has referred the appeal back to the authority requiring the cases in which objection was made to lie reopened fo» further investigation of the legal position. The firms concerned in the merger, -which was ordered oil July 9 and was to have taken place on August I, were: A. W. Allison (Ivaiapoi) F. S. J Chinnerv and Son (Wooden d), Ran- , giora), W. C. McCracken (Rangiora), S. Eder (Sefton), H. Arlington (Ambefley), arid the estate ol J. Puric (Christchurch). The decision of the authority was the first compulsory merger of firms directed in New Zealand. All the firms concerned protested, hut it was ruled that the step was required in the national interest, ensuring complete rationalisation of transport in the area, adequate preparation for emergency, and conservation of petlicenses might then be reviewed on main in force for the duration of the war and 12 months after, when the icencos might then he reviewed on . request. The Minister in giving his decision said: "The appellants’ submissions are in part based upon legal considerations, and I consider it desirable in this regard that the appellants should take their views to the authority and that the authority having those views before him should give a decision. So that the matter may he reopened T am referring it back to the authority.” Mr Langford asked yesterday when another sitting was to he held, said that no decision had yet been reached. Mr A. C. Eraser, for Transport (North Canterbury), Ld.. said las+ evening that the interests of three of the firms concerned —the estate of i J. Dririe, F. S. Chinnerv and Son and S. M. R. Eder—had been taken over by the company. These had not been the subject of appeal. !