TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4871, 16 July 1936, Page 5

TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

FORTYHOUR WEEK OPPOSED. EFFECT OF NEW LEGISLATION. Delegates of South Auckland Carriers' Associations met in conference at Hamilton on Tuesday evening when problems concerning the immediate future of the. carrying industry were discussed at length. Mr. W. S. Gooseman presided. "It is necessary for every carrier to become a member of an association and to become affiliated with the New Zealand Council of Carriers in his own interest," said Mr. R. Andrews, in opening the meeting. "This will establish the industry on a sound basis, and will enable many matters affecting individual carriers to be rectified, while the force of a larger body in placing: major troubles before authorities in charge will have a greater effect," he said. Fixing Prices. A remit from the Waipa Association regarding the Government's fixation of prices was amended to read:— "That this meeting of representatives of South Auckland carriers resolves that representations be made enquiring whether the Government is prepared to take necessary measures to bring all carriers, at present licensed or unlicensed, in the South Auckland district under a fixed scale of cartage rates." This resolution was adopted. The difficulties that would be presented under the 40-hour week legislation were also discussed at length. This innovation as regards carriers was considered to be impracticable, especially with regard to the cartage of farm materials and when seasonable work was in progress. A resolution was passed opposing the 40-hour week and asking for exemption. To present the case before Parliament, a committee comprising Messrs. W. S. Goosman, J. C. Black, A. Rowan and J. Jebson was appointed. A Common Basis. It was pointed out that competition by owner-drivers had handicappe carrying firms, and a motion that all drivers should be placed on a similar basis was supported by the ownerdrivers present who agreed that curtailment in the hours of their own work would be welcome. In the event of carriers being placed under an award, which to members seemed inevitable, an anomaly between country and city carriers would immediately arise. Consideration of this point led to a motion recommending that separate awards be applied to country and town carriers. A further resolution opposed the issuing of temporary licenses to truck drivers.