MOTOR TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23106, 4 February 1937, Page 10

MOTOR TRANSPORT

RATIONALISATION SCHEME WARNING TO MERCHANTS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. A warning to those merchants and others who are reported as frustrating the rationalisation of motoi transport over certain routes was issued to-day by the Minister of Transport (Mr R. Semple). The Minister said that although it was desired to use the powers of the new legislation sparingly the law would be invoked in cases where it was clear that the administration of the Act was being circumvented. Mr Semple explained that recently he had met Messrs E. J. Phelan (Auckland), J. P. O. Skoglund (Wellington), T. H. Langford (Christ church) and V. Raines (Dunedin). who acted as district licensing authorities under the Transport Act " We discussed a number of matters dealing with the administration of the Act in the light of experience gained by the licensing authorities," he said " The licensing authorities drew my attention to a number of instances where their attempts to rationalise motor transport over certain routes with the object of reducing the na tional transport costs were being frustrated by merchants and others putting their own trucks on the road The legislation provides power to bring ' ancillary ' services of this nature under the Transport Act. The general policy, however, is to use the power sparingly, but I want to emphasise that it will be invoked in cases where it is clear that the administration of the Act is being circumvented.

"Another point I should like to emphasise," said Mr Semple. " is the desirability. for all persons, firms, local bodies, etc., obtaining tenders for road haulage to make it a condition of contract that the successful tenderer complies, where necessary with the provisions of the Transport Act. Cases have arisen where tenders for cartage have been accepted and the road transport operator has subsequentlv been unable to secure the necessary licence. This has led to confusion and irritation. I want to make "it quite clear that all this trouble can be avoided if business firms and local bodies make com pliapce with the Transport Act a condition of their contracts for road transport."