GOODS BY ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 11

GOODS BY ROAD

BEFUSAL of licences CONCERN AMONG OWNERS far-reaching results L % MANY APPEALS LIKELY The decision) of tlie No. 2 Transport Incensing An' nority refusing licences to a number of companies and individuals engj.~ed in the long-distance road transport of goods to and from Auckland is regarded very seriously by those concerned in the business. The opinion was expressed yesterday that the authority's decisions were so drastic and far-reaching that they could not be allowed to stand. It seems likely that an appeal will be lodged by everyone whose licence has been refused. A period of 21 days is allowed for this. "If these decisions are allowed to stand, there is no doubt as to the farreaching effect they will have on motor transport throughout New Zealand," said Mr. T. A. McClymont, manager of the McClymont Transport Company, yesterday. "The logical outcome is the falling into line of all the other licensing authorities, with the eventual abolition of goods transport in all districts served by rail or water. It has been stated' on many occasions that the main purpose of the transport legislation is co-orcination, not abolition with its consequent reversion, in this age of progress and ever-advancing use of the motor vehicle everywhere, to a state of affairs 10 years back. "Apart fromp the capital involved and the unemployment that will be caused, the general public surely will regard the action of the No. 2 Licensing Authority as a retrograde step, entirely unwarranted at this stage of the country's history. It is axiomatic that motor transport firms which have developed during the past years on a thoroughly economic and businesslike basis have Justified their existence, since they provide their districts with the cheapest and most convenient transport. I am sure that if the tradespeople of these districts realise how

nea:r they are to losing their privileges in this connection they will lose i. no time in uttering their protest. We certainly are going to use to the full our right of appeal, and all services will be carried on until that has been determined."

"RIGHT THING DONE" DECISION OF MR. ALLUM OPINIONS AT HASTINGS '* [by TELEGRAPH —rKESS association] HASTINGS, Thursday Mr. Allum has done the right thing in throwing on the Transport Co-ordination Board the onus of interpreting section 26 of the Act," said Mr. F. B. Logan, ex-chairman of the No. 4 Transport Licensing Authority, in commenting to-day on the decision of the Auckland authority. ''Without any definite information to go on," he added, "I would say, nevertheless, that the Railways Board "hau taken the gloves off and will seize every opportunity of contesting the grunting of licences in districts in which it is interested. I have long been conrineed that this would be the year in which the fight would begin in earnest. I think the Railways Board will undoubtedly put up a very hard figllt." .. s£r. A. Sinclair, traffic manager of the Richardson Shipping Company, which operates coastal vessels, expressed agreement with the principle of Mr. Allum's' decision. Motor transport, he said, had taken away the cream of the trade from shipping and the railways.

OPINION IN HAMILTON DIVERGENT VIEWS EXPRESSED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday Grave concern regarding the cancellation of goods transport licences of road services operating between Auckland and Hamilton was expressed by a number of Hamilton firms to-day. Opiinion was not unanimous, however, as other merchants stated that they had found the rail services satisfactory. "The position is going to be very serious for us," stated a dealer in automobile parts and tyres. "The majority of. our orders from Auckland are rush orders and we want goods ordered one night to be delivered 'first thing in the morning." He. added that the road'services guaranteed .to do this. It had been found that rail timetables were not suitable for their purpose and the delivery service from the raijway station was very uncertain. Even if suitable services were run by rail, it would be necessary to collect the goods themselves from the station to ensure promptness. This opinion was supported by another merchant. A number of firms, however, expressed contrary opinions. The manager of a large drapery business, which has used both methods of transport, considered that the rail services had proved equally aB effeo 've 'as those operating by road. There had been little difference in the time taken to obtain the goods, and the services from the station had proved quite satisfactorv. '

A firm of radio dealers stated that when supplies were urgently needed it had often been found quicker to order by rail and collect the goods from the station in the morning. The manager of a large dairy company said that the cancellation of licences would have a prejudicial effect, as road services were at present carrying cheese from certain of the factories to Auckland at a lower rate than it had been possible to obtain from the railways, and the change would result in increased expense. Companies handling farm stock are as yet not willto comment on the position.

STRONG PROTEST MADE CRITICISM OF AUTHORITY [®r TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHUJRCH, Thursday "This is murder!" declared the Hon. W. Hay ward, M.L.C., manager of Rink Limited, in commenting on the decision of No. 2 Transport Authority abolishing numbers of through goods services by road in the Auckland Province. "Only three were granted out of 29 applications. It is slaughter! one ever expected anything like this. The opposite view has" been taken ,n Christchurch by the licensing authority. "I don't think this wholesale refusal of licences will be tolerated for a moment. It is most unjust." Another business man said public opinion would not allow the' decisions to stand. They appeared ridiculous. Auckland Authority had been the Biost drastic of the ltjt.