“A GIGANTIC SWINDLE”

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1936, Page 3

“A GIGANTIC SWINDLE”

MR SEMPLE AND TRUCK OWNER-DRIVERS

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”l AUCKLAND, This Day.

On the lines of his reply to the deputation from the Whangarei Harbour Board in regard to transport problems. the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, told deputations in Auckland last night that he was going to “clean up” the whole system. Mr M. Simson, speaking on behalf of the Auckland Master Carriers, said that his association was a big body employing about 300 men under award conditions and operating in competition with a large number, of owner drivers, which constituted their main problem. Mr Simson said that they were strong supporters of the petrol tax, but, in regard to heavy traffic licenses, they thought that carriers should be licensed on the same basis as the carriers of heavy goods. They desired also, stability in the industry and measures to prevent the influx of men, who. as the Minister had said, did not own a spoke in a wheel of the vehicles they drove.

Minister’s Powers.

Mr Semple in reply said the recent Bill had been drafted to give the Minister power to deal with the unfair and “cut-throat” competition which had grown up throughout the Dominion in the past two or three years, and which tended to destroy legitimate transport.

“The owner-driver generally, to my mind, is a gigantic swindle,” continued the Minister. “In some cases it is used by other people so that the supposed owner of the vehicle can defeat all rules regarding wages and hours. It will not be allowed to continue. I have appointed new licensing authorities which will deal with it. The power is there and they understand my views. It has got to stop. It will take time, but we mean to do it.

“Unbridled competition means disaster to all, including the individuals who go in for it. When we license a group we want an assurance that they can make a living, meet their commitments, pay reasonable wages, and keep reasonable hours. It is no good for anyone to say “I am an owner-driver.’ He has got to pay" himself the same wages, and keep the same hours as other people.

A Big Job.

“It will b ea big job to bring back stability and efficiency and give greater security for the future. Any question that the legitimate transport people want to discuss they can bring to me. I want help in dealing with the problem that has grown up; it is one that bristles with difficulties. Every application for a new license has got to be considered on its merits, and if there is no room for legitimate competition it will not be granted. “We want people to be busy all the time, to,get a fair return, and to keep their fleets of vehicles up to standard. We intend to appoint examiners, and every vehicle will have to get a certi ficate of fitness before it goes on to the road. Too many accidents are due to bad brakes or bad lights and those can be prevented. We want your goodwill and help in building a transport system that will be a credit to New Zealand.”