TRANSPORT LAW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 16

TRANSPORT LAW

DURATION OF PASSENGER LICENCES EXTENSION TO THREE YEARS (From Odr Paruamentakx Reporteb) WELLINGTON, October 23. An extension of tho duration of passenger service licences from one year to three years is the main provision of the Transport Licensing Amendment Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Governor-General's Message to-day and read a first time. Under the 1931 Act the renewal of any licence could not be for any longer period than 12 months. The amendment provides that licences not issued on quarter day shall take effect from the quarter day immediately preceding the date of issue and unless they are revoked will continue in force for three years. It is provided that if an application for renewal is not disposed of before the date of expiry the licence shall continue in force.until the application is disposed of. If the licensing authority is of the opinion that the circumstances under which any passenger service licence was granted have since materially changed it may give notice that the licence will be revoked. Unless the licensee consent* to revocation, the authority will decide the matter at a public sitting within 14 days, its decision being subject to appeal. Certificates of fitness in respect to any passenger service vehicle will also remain in force for three years instead of one year as at present, and in the case of a certificate being revoked before it expires the Commissioner of Transport may refund to the holder such portion of the fee as he thinks fit.

' When the Bill was introduced the Minister of Transport, Mr Coates, said it was inconvenient to have licences overhauled every year. The extension of the licensing period to three years was expected to make for much smoother working.