More Evidence in Licensing Authority Inquiry

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 38, 15 February 1949, Page 4

More Evidence in Licensing Authority Inquiry

Military Necessity After the luncheon adjournment on the first day of the sitting cf the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. E. J. Phelan), to alio whim to make an early departure on matters of a local nature, Chairman of the Whangaroa Harbour Board, Mr. S. L. C. Shepherd, was taken out of order, in as much as he was present to oppose the applications of the oil companies.

Mr. Gould examined and elicited from Mr. Shepherd the view of the Whangaroa Harbour Board that sea freights for butter and wharfage rates would have to go up, if drum petrol freights were lost by the shipping company. “Do you consider that ony butter freight would be raised, Mr. Shepherd,” asked Mr. Phelan. “No, sir. Artificial manures and all other things freighted by the boats j would be affected,” replied Mr. Shep- j herd. “I feel that this would be justified on account of the loss of revenue i caused by the inauguration of there tankers,” stated Mr. Shepherd in answer to a question from the Authority. He also went on to state that the loss of the coastal boats would have a very grave effect on farming activities in general in his district. To Mr. Ross, he would not agree that the increase in local prosperity as indicated by aditional harbour revenues and dairy company production, would make up for the loss that would be sustained in higher freights. He did nor think petrol would be delivered into the re-sellers’ tanks in his district any cheaper by tanker than by boat. Mr. Shepherd said he was there to give evidence in the matter of the Harbour Board only, and that he was acting on its instructions. Mr. F. "Haigh who had stated earlier that he was representing a number of petrol re-sellers at Kaitaia, asked : “Are you prepared to keep the tankers out of the district forever to prevent a loss to harbour board of under £IOO annually?” “No.” The Authority asked the witness how he maintained that the boats would lose all the petrol and oil revenue if tankers came in. “It’s in the hands of the people.” he said, “and all this hearing can do is to give the oil companies an opportunity of competing with the boats. “It’s open to the public to patronise the boats if they wish to do so. If they are sufficiently loyal to their district they will leave the tankers

alone.” Mr. Nicholls asked Mr. Haigh to elucidate his position. In the morning Mr. Haigh, he said, had announced that he was appearng for the petrol re-sellers of Kaitaia, and had read out a list of firms’ names. Now it appeared that one of those firms, North Auckland Farmers’ Coop., Ltd., had written saying that it had no, wish to be represented. “I will have some strong criticism to utter later in the hearing, and I do not wish to criticise firms not represented,” said Mr. Nicholls. “Therefore, I should like t 0 be clear on this matter.” Mr. Haigh : I was handed a list of firms’ names by Mr. G. Wilson, and I can only take them as having been right. If Mr. Nicholls would like it I shall send up to Kaitaia by plane for verification. Interjected Mr. Phean : “I don’t think we need go farther on thlis subject, gentlemen.” Mr. Nicholls then dropped the topic and went on to question a further witness for the oil companies. Mr. Dykes, manager of the N.Z.R. Road Services in Kaitaia, was a witness in support of the tanker means of ge:ting petrol to his bowsers. He said that he was of the opinion that the tanker means was one of less waste and more convenience. His bowser was one which supplied his own branch’s vehicles, with, on occasion, the necessity t 0 supply some other government trucks or cars. He would not be in favour of having to revert to the old system of drum supply, went on Mr. Dykes, and hoped that day would never co le. There had been no loss at i' i vm leakage since the tankers came into being, stated Mr. Dykes, whereas, the leakage at the time of drum decanting for bowser use, was one percent. Mr. Dykes stated that he was quite independent of any conflict which might be in Kaitaia over this seemingly vexed question, and wanted it known through the Authority that he was relating only his own experience and findings as a qualified accountant and manager of the N.Z.R.S. in Kaitaia. Mr. A. E. Andrewes of Rawene

gave evidence in support of the tank- | er, and stated that as a reseller, he j had nothing but good to say of the system. He had under his direction, four branches, and all his managers reported an improvement in supply and saving.