THE TRANSPORT BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20905, 20 December 1929, Page 12

THE TRANSPORT BILL

MR ANSELL’S CRITICISM,

REPLY BY THE MINISTER

BENEFITS OFFERED TO

MOTORISTS,

(Special to Daily Times.)

WELLINGTON, December 19,

Statements of interest to motoring associations and those engaged in commercial transport were made by the Minister of Transport (Mr W. A. Veitch) in an interview to-day, when he took the opportunity of replying to criticisms by „ r Ansell, M.P., president of the South Island Motor Union.

vef y interested to note,” said Mr Veitch. “ that Mr Ansell had at last ventured to express his objections to the .transport Law Amendment Bill introduced by me last session, and also to learn that his own viticism of the Bill was that there was no serious attempt m it to co-ordinate those two systems (road and rail) of transport. I was not surprised, however, from the published report of Mr Ansell’s remarks, to gather that ho had not given this very important problem serious consideration in the past. Indeed, it is obvious that had Mr Ansell really understood the problem and the provisions of the Bill he would not have been justified in making the assertion to which I have referred.

Had Mr Ansell and other critics been even remotely conversant with the trend of transport events in other countries,” continued the Minister, “ they would have appreciated that the Government’s measure was based on a very close study of the experience and proposals of other countries, with essential adaptations for conditions peculiar to New Zealand. The machinery provided in Part HI of the Bill for tho regulation of commercial transport was practically identical with that since recommended by the British Royal Commission on Transport, after, probably, the most exhaustive investigation into the question that has. ever been carried out. The order of reference was * to takc hi to consideration the problems arising out of the growth of road traffic, and, with a view to securing the employment of the available means of transport in Great Britain (including transport by sea coastwise and by ferries) to the greatest public advantage to consider and report what measures, if any, should be adopted for their regulation and control, and so far as Is desirable in the public interest to promote their co-ordinated working and development. " I have before me,” ' proceeded the Minister, “ the second report dealing with the co-ordination of passenger transport, and as is well-known cabled advice has been received that the recommendations of the commission have been incorporated in a Bill introduced recently in the British House of Commons by Mr Herbert Morrison, Minister of Transport. Far from supporting the view expressed by Mr Ansell that no tears should be shed for the shelving of the Bill, I feel sure that the public of New Zealand will appreciate the fact that those responsible for the formulation of the Government’s proposals were abreast of the times and that the killing of the Bill was distinctly a party move that will result in a very material waste of public money and an unnecessary continuation of the present chaotic state of affairs. The plea for further investigation was merely a subterfuge, as Parliament’s attention has been repeatedly drawn by departmental reports annually and otherwise to the enormous losses and potential deficits if steps were not taken to grapple with the problem. Ample evidence is already available to those capable of understanding to show that regulation of transport is lon™ overdue. °

“ There were other clauses in the Bill to which Mr Ansell apparently did not refer, and I am not surprised at that. These clauses were desired and welcomed by all sections of the motoring community as tending to more efficient and harmonious administration and extending consideration and convenience to motorists not enjoyed previously. I would refer particularly to the proposal to issue motor drivers’ licenses by the Post Office. This would have eliminated the present inconvenience imposed on close on 200,000 holders of motor drivers’ licenses in having to obtain their licenses and number plates from different authorities.

Various other hardships wore removed and I feel sure that motorists generally, and particularly those in the South Island, will find it difficult to reconcile the actions of Mr Ausell as a member of Parliament and Mr Ansell as president of the South Island Motor Union in his general hostility to the Bill. He has helped to deprive the private motorist of many desirable changes in the present law and has supported opposition to legislation, an impartial review of which will show clearly that it was in the interests of the Dominion and in keeping with, recognised necessities in other countries. 5 *