TRANSPORT SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22371, 19 September 1934, Page 8

TRANSPORT SERVICES

REGULATION OF COMPETITION ACT OPERATING SMOOTHLY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 13. “ That the proper regulation of the whole field of transport is of public benefit is indisputable, but there is not the same certainty as to the method and means of regulation,” states the annual report of the Transport Department tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. The report adds that a regulatory system to be successful must bo simple, effective and inexpensive. There must he no suggestion of unnecessary red tape. A brief study of transport in other parts of the world to-day immediately directed attention to the fact that unregulated competition had been generally discarded as a basis of a national transport policy. The regulation of competition was being secured in several countries through the control of transport charges and by other means, such as a system of licensing, control of expenditure on roads, railways and harbours. Countries adopting transport regulatory legislation in some form or another during the year included Great Britain, Canada, Victoria and the Irish Free State. It is stated that the machinery under the New Zealand Transport Licensing Act is operating smoothly, but every effort is being made to effect an improvement in the direction of greater simplicity and cheapness. Accounts and traffic records of operators licensed to carry both passengers and goods are being carefully watched in order to enthat the benefits of the Act are passed on to the public in the form of lower charges or better service. Tangible evidence of the efficacy of the Act in regard to passenger services is in the form of increased efficiency and a saving of approximately £300,000 for the year in the operating costs.

03,012 recorded in the present return is made up as follows: Receiving part-time relief under scheme No. 5 .. .. •• ■ • 33,167 Receiving sustenance without work • • • • • 5>74S Workers engaged in industrial undertakings-with assistance by way of subsidy --1,09/