CARRYING TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22539, 2 October 1936, Page 12

CARRYING TRADE

COMPETITION BY RAILWAYS UNFAIR METHODS ALLEGED [BY TEIjEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CIIRISTCHURCH, Thursday Allegations of unfair competition by the railways wero made* to-day before the committee inquiring into tho taxi and carrying business by a representative of tile Master Carriers' Association. The association also asked that all carriers licensed in tho city should be compelled to charge rates adopted by its members. Mr. T. J. S. Young, manager of tho New Zealand Express Company at Christchurch, gave the committee a list of the rates observed bv members of the association, these being based on the assumption that a 44-hour week would bo made valid. If the week's work were reduced to 40 hours the rates would probably have to bo increased. There were several ownerdrivers outside of the association who were not bound by its rates, henco tho association would like its rates made binding on all carriers. Thcso rates showed very littlo advance on those adopted in 1924. The public had been treated very reasonably. Witness described as unfair competition tho action of tho Railway Department in undertaking certain work previously carried out by private carriers. The delivery of railway parcels was at one time let by tender to carriers, but on tho last occasion when tenders were called tho Post and Telegraph Department secured the job. Another matter which hit tho carriers hard was the practice of the railways in undertaking furniture packing and removal, and tho free collection of parcels destined to be carried by the railwavs.