SUNDAY BUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24760, 7 December 1943, Page 2

SUNDAY BUSES

RESTRICTION LIKELY POSITION OF EMPLOYERS The outlook for bus services in and around Auckland next Sunday is still uncertain owing to the inability of Auckland employers to consult the New Zealand Omnibus Proprietors' Association before that date in regard to the drivers' demand for double time on Sundays and a general wages increase. The bus drivers decided last week unless the employers agreed to the demand they would operate only sufficient buses on Sundays, for a limited period in the mornings and evenings, to cater for essential workers. Mr. N. B. Spencer, president of the New Zealand Omnibus Proprietors' Association, stated last night that owing to travel difficulties it was impossible to arrange a full meeting of the association in Wellington this week. The association had been communicated with, and it was found that convenient travelling facilities were not available for Auckland or South Island members to attend a meeting. The employers therefore could now only wait and see what happened. As a result of a decision made last week by the drivers, only the number of passengers stipulated in the licences was carried on Auckland buses yesterday. Representatives of companies stated last night that the effect of this step was not very apparent yesterday. One said that when most buses were loaded to their legal maximum there was only room for two or three more passengers. Another firm stated that inspectors had always travelled on the buses during the peak hours in the evenings to ensure that there was no overloading, and it was only on the last buses at _ night that overloading had been noticeable. During the morning rush hour yesterday, a few people were left behind, hut they had only to wait a few minutes for another bus. Mr. L. G, Matthews, secretary of the Auckland Drivers' Union, stated yesterday that it had been brought to the notice of the union by the Transport Department that the practice of overloading must cease. BRITAIN'S FOOD NEEDS (P.A.) * MASTERTON, Monday The High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batter bee, addressing the Mn«tcrton Notary Club to-day, emphasised that the present rations in Britain had been scientifically planned and were just sufficient to keep the people alive and well..lf there was any diminution of these meagre rations, then the health and vitality of the people must suffer. Unless, by some way or another, the people of New Zealand and Australia could find means to increase the supply of dairy produce and meat to Britain, this was bound to happen. "Britain has never appealed to New Zealand in vain for any help that the Dominion is able to give, and I am confident she will not now," he said.

INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS Now agreements have been made between tlie Auckland Transport Board and the Engineers' Union and between the board and its maintenance staff. The board agreed yesterday that when these agreements are presented to the Court of Arbitration for approval the Court be requested to make them operative on the same day.