ROAD TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22020, 1 August 1933, Page 8

ROAD TRANSPORT

COMPETITION WITH RAILWAYS RECENT JUDGMENTS CAUSE ALARM QUESTION OF PUBLIC ■ CONVENIENCE (Per United Press Association ) 1 WELLINGTON, July 31. In view of the recent judgments given in transport appeal cases at Auckland road transport organisations are expressing grave concern for the future of their industry. They consider that the Transport Licensing Act definitely tends to eliminate all road competition with railways, public convenience notwithstanding. *' We have reached the turning of the ways in ■ regard to road transport," said Mr H. J. Knight, secretary of the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance and the White Star Tourist Services, Ltd., in a statement to-day. "We now have a definite interpretation by the final authority as to' the conditions under which road services will bo permitted to function. The judgments in the recent transport appeal cases appear to make it clear that services which compete with the railways will not be permitted. We do not question these judgments, of course, but we do claim that the Act urgently requires amending if road transort services are to continue. " Notwithstanding the assurances given by Cabinet' Ministers and others that the Transport Act was not concerned with bolstering up the interests of the railways, competition with them is being steadily eliminated. The principal factor which appears to have been lost sight of in the Transport Licensing Act is the public convenience which is definitely affected. In other countries'motor transport opposition to State-owned railways has been legislated practically out of existence. This is now occurring in New Zealand and we have yet to learn that such'' action has. proved a satisfactory solution of the problem. " It remains to be seen," Mr Knight proceeded, "whether the public will tolerate the extent of the elimination or curtailment of.*.motor services bearing in mind the effect yet to be felt and appreciated. There can be no question as to the value of motor transport any more than there can be of the value of rail transport, but the elimination of transport facilities affecting the public convenience is a serious bar to the progress and- welfare of any country. It may safely be said that the public is fully aware of its liability for the maintenance of the railways or the losses incurred in their running, and the further extent of support accorded to motor transport has been with the full knowledge of its liability. Support, therefore, must be due to the convenience afforded by motor transport.' "Public attention is drawn to the important matter of transport facilities afforded by services and control as exemplified by the Transport Licensing Act which is apparently a very effective legislative bludgeon for the use of the Railways Department on a competitor who is bound and helpless."