Ship v. Rail Issue Before Commission

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1939, Page 7

Ship v. Rail Issue Before Commission

Folic wing a meeting in Kaikohe yesterday, the Transport Coordination Commission sat in Whangarei this morning to discuss important issues arising out of competition between railway and shipping Services. Members of the commission .are Mr T. H. Langford (chairman), Col T McCristell and Mr G. Laing.’ ’ Scope of Investigations. Principal item being investigated by the commission is the truck rate system in so far as it relates to all classes of goods consigned from Auckland to Northland. > Other matters being examined are the effect of the system on shipping companies serving the district; the economic effects on harbour boards or other local bodies controlling port facilities, the general economic effect's if such system of rating should cause a cessation of shipping transports; the social effect on New Zealand of curtailment of shipping activities; the effect of any change in the present system on the primary industries and general public; and any matter that may arise out of investigations l into any of these subjects. , I Proceedings In Camera. Representing the Railway Department at the sittings of the commission, were Mr A. W. Wellsted, commercial manager,, Mr W. Bishop, chief accountant, Mr J. Sawers, district traffic manager, Auckland, and Mr F. W. Aiken, counsel.

At Kaikohe Mr H. F. Guy represented the dairy company and the Chamber of Commerce, while business interests in the district also gave | evidence. Northern harbour boards, shipping companies and other "organisations interested in port development were present. / ; At the sitting in Whangarei today, Mr L. A. Johnson acted as counsel for the Whangarei Harbour Board, while other bodies represented were the. Whangarei County Council (Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay), and shipping company -I officials. Mr J. A. Finlayson, chairman of the harbour board and Mr E. L. Whimp, deputy-chairman, and Mr W. M. | Fraser, secretary, also attended. All proceedings were held in camera, v the Board of Trade Act prohibiting the publication of proceedings at such sittings. .vgi Further evidence will be heard in Auckland on Monday. Captain Hammond watched the interests of the Northern Shipping Company, while others present were Mr W. Andrews, stationmaster at Kawakawa, Mr D. A. Lusk (Kawakawa), ' Mr L. Feist (Farmers’ Trading Company. Whangarei) and Mr E. G. Burt (Wallace Supplies, Whangarei'),