NO COMPULSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 13

NO COMPULSION

TRANSPORT MERGERS ASSERTION BY AUTHORITY REPLY TO HON. A. HAMILTON [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WANGANUI, Tuesday "To allay any fears that transport operators may have, by reason of statements reported to have been made by tho Hon. A. Hamilton at Pahiatua on November 11, I wish to make this

statamcnt," said Mr. P. Skoglund, No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority, when the authority held a public sitting at Wanganui to-day. "Mr. Hamilton's statement having been made in the No. 2 Authority's district, the public might gain the impression that the No. 2 Authority has been acting in the manner as stated by Mr. Hamilton, who is reported as saying that operators have been forced off the road without compensation," Mr. Skoglund continued. "No operators have been forced off the road in the No. 2 district under tho circumstances mentioned by Mr. Hamilton," Mr. Skoglund added. "Mr. Hamilton is also reported as having said that operators are being bluntly told that, unless they agree to combine with other interests and sink their individuality and independence, they will have their licences cancelled. In so far as the No. 2 district is concerned, this statement is entirely incorrect. If any operators in tho No. 2 district merge their interests it will be entirely on a voluntary basis. "The only degree of compulsion used will be in the direction of, requiring carriers to join their appropriate associations. This action is being taken in the interests of the carriers themselves in the hopo that co-operation may be achieved.

"Mr. Hamilton is also reported as having said that the Government's policy is definitely in the direction of wiping out individual private transport interests, so far as to give the industry over to transport monopolies, ultimately to become a State monopoly. "In this connection both the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. M. J. Savage, and the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple. have stated publicly that it is not the intention of the Government to nationalise road transport. "With the implication of faith in the statements of the Ministers mentioned the policy of the No. 2 Authority is directed accordingly."