TRANSPORT PURCHASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23021, 26 April 1938, Page 7

TRANSPORT PURCHASE

MR. MACKLEY'S DEFENCE LESSONS FROM OVERSEAS COMPETITION WITH RAILWAYS [by TELEGRAPH—OWN correspondent] PALMER STOX NORTH, Monday The action of the Government in absorbing road services in competition with the railways was 6trongly defended by Mr. G. H. Mackley, • general manager of railways, at Palmerston North on Saturday evening at a dinner on the occasion of the taking over of the Highways Transport Company, the largest road freight service in the Dominion. "Something has been said from time to time," said „Mr. Mackley, "as to the desirability of the Government's policy in taking over all those major transport services which are in competition with the Railway Department* I can think of 110 more commonsense policy than that of the present Government in taking over those services. That 1 believe is the opinion that exists, throughout the world. 1 have evidence ; of that. "What applies to other countries applies particularly to us because of the peculiar conditions obtaining in New Zealand. I think the taking over of all competitive road services is in the best interests of the country as a whole. 1 hope in the not far distant future that those who have control of the destinies of the Railway Department will prove to the entire satisfaction of the whole community that their action was well advised and in the best interests of the people as a whole." It was the desire of the Government that the transport service should be widened and 1 cheapened as far as was humanly possible. ® / "We iiuve had difficulties on the railways," said Mr. Mackley, "but that is merely a passing phase. All transport services have had their difficulties, but i believe, with the advancements being made in various forms of transport, that the outlook for the railways in Mew Zealand has never been brighter."