COMMENT ON REPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20011, 30 July 1928, Page 11

COMMENT ON REPORT.

GREATER AUCKLAND ASPECT. AID TO EASIER SOLUTION. VIEWPOINT OF BUS OWNERS. The finding of the Transport Commission in favour of a transport board is causing tho owners of somo private services concern as to their status in running under two authorities. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, views the commission's report as a vindication of the City Council's transport system and a further argument for the Greater Auckland scheme " It must bo satisfactory to the community as a wholo to know that this expert body of men finds that the methods of transport conducted by the City Council have been 'suitable, adequate, and efficient,' " said Mr. Baildon, on Saturday. "This should be an effective answer to tho constant pin-pricking and irritating tactics of the critics of the council."

Mr. Baildon said ho did not feel disposed to exhaustively criticiso or discuss the recommendations of tho commission until tho report was before a special meeting of' tho full council, which would be called together at the earliest opportunity. He agreed with the view indicated by the commission that the transport problem in Auckland would havo been the better and easier solved under a Greater Auckland. One of the principal reasons for recommending the formation of a transport board appeared to be that it, was a quicker method of unifying transport than waiting for the amalgamation of further local bodies bordering tho city area proper. Amalgamation Still Open. " In any case, the board cannot function before April, 1929," said tho Mayor, "and it appears to me that if the contiguous independent local bodies would only take a large view of tho position, there is no reason why amalgamation should not take place before then." There was no reason to assume that under the board's control the number of officers and men at present engaged in the transport services of the city would be reduced, and no increase of unemployment was foreshadowed on that account. »

" I read with particular interest tho commission's statement that it had elsewhere expressed its opinion of what it believed to bo 'tho narrow, short-sighted policy, the lack of true civic pride, and public spirit, which magnified tho importance of any local benefits that may attach to tho present system, and is blind to tho advantages of amalgamation,' Mr. Baildon said. Services in Two Districts. The finding of tho commission has caused tho Passenger Transport Company to ask what its position will bo in running its services under two licensing authorities. Mr. N. B. Spencer, chairman of directors of the company, said the formation of a board was a satisfactory move, but he considered difficulties would arise with regard to the company's services which would not bo wholly in tho board's district. Part of tho run would conio within the Otahnhn Borough Council district and, from tho company's viewpoint, it would have been a great advantage to include Otahuhu in the board's district. At present tho company's services all came within tho No. 1 Licensing Authority's area and he questioned whether compensation would lie available for the company should it bo unable to comply with tho conditions of licences issued by tho board. The company would be running under licence from a board which would own tho trains and would be competitors. Mr. L. J. Keys, proprietor of the St. Ileliers Bay-Kohimarama service, said ho did not think tho change would affect his business. Tho whole service would come within tho proposed board area, and it would be merely a question of the control being transferred from the No. 1 Licensing Authority to the Transport Board. One clause in relation to tho powers of the board, that it should licence services for a period not exceeding five years, had caused him some concern, said Mr. Keys. From this it be inferred that the board should take over all services after that period.