ROAD TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24790, 15 December 1941, Page 4

ROAD TRANSPORT

DRASTIC RESTRICTIONS CONSERVING FUtt SUPPLIES SERVICE TO CHRISTCHURCH ELIMINATED IP.A.) WELLINGTON. The mileage run by the railway toad services will be reduced by one-quar-ter, it is estimated, by the curtailment which comes into operation to-morrow in consequence of steps taken to reduce the consumption of petrol. Normal services were maintained to-day owing to the short notice given to the public, but drastic restrictions have been imposed from the begihiling of the schedule running to-morrow morning, irrespective of the hours of operation. The whole of the daily service maintained by the railways road vehicles between Wellington, Wanganui. and New Plymouth has been suspended, taking about 10 service cars of! this run.

The policy adopted . has been to eliminate motor running wherever there is a suitable rail service. The Christchurch-Dunedin railway motor service has been eliminated, and similar restrictions will operate throughout the Dominion.

Local Services

The Dunedin-Port Chalmers-Carey’s Bay, Aramoana service will be stopped from to-day, as will the DunedinClinton and Dunedin-Timaru services, including that running via Karitane The Dunedin-Tahakopa service will now run from Balclutha only.

TRANSPORT DRIVERS APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. An urgent appeal for drivers to join the lines of communication mechanical transport companies is made by the Minister of National Service, Mr R. Semple. - Local Appeals » Recruits are required for Reserve Army Transport Companies (lines of communication). Experience in driving motor vehicles or as mechanics is essential. Enrolment forms and all information may be obtained from the District Officer, -Transport Department, or Messrs James Henderson, J. H. Kirkwood or A. V. Gain. The necessary negotiations will be entered into to transfer men from other organisations if they can be of greater service in the reserve army transport companies. Reduced Cartage Facilities Absence of many operators on active service has necessitated a complete reorganisation of the transport and cartage business of the city, and the Otago Commercial Transport Association is making an appeal to users of transport to arrange their business in such a Vay that the association will be able to eliminate all unnecessary running and so assist in the conservation of petrol. TYRES AND TUBES CONTROL OF SALE CONSERVING AVAILABLE STOCKS CO-OPERATION OF DEALERS (PA.) WELLINGTON, DecisMxi The Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr D. G. Sullivan, announced to-night that it had been decided to control the sale of all motor tyres and tubes throughout the Dominion, as from to-morrow. Henceforward no motor tyres or, tubes .may be removed, sold or otherwise disposed' of except with the consent of or. by . the direction of the Secretary, of. Supply. It was incumbent oh all persons, arid fir ms holding stocks of - motor tyres and tubes to forward, immediately to the Secretary of Supply full particulars of such stocks. “ This action has been taken.” said the Minister, “to ensure that/- our available stocks of motor tyres and tubes are conserved for the most essential purposes, and co-operation is sought from all tyre dealers, and others concerned in the matter rof furnishing the required returns by the earliest mail.” DEFENCE PLANS EXTREME MOBILITY ITS IMPORTANCE STRESSED (P.A.) ' WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. Stressing the importance of extreme mobility in our defence plans, the Minister of Transport, Mr R. Semple, said to-day that the transport companies throughout the Dominion were volun-. tary organisations of skilled drivers who were already operating our transport services .throughout the country. Their members were attested as part of the Home Guard and were under army control. . - . , Companies had already been established in defence areas throughout the Dominion. The total establishment of each company was 155- officers and other ranks with 72 three-ton vehicles and eight motor cycles. A considerable number of officers and. n.c.o.’s had . already ■ attended- training courses, and this training. would be further developed. The Minister thanked those who had given their services in training these companies, which, he said, had already reached a high state of efficiency: But, he added, there was room in every centre for new drivers and vehicles. Owners and drivers would realise that by making vehicles and services available for these companies. they were helping actively in the defence of New Zealand.