TRANSPORT POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26274, 4 October 1946, Page 6

TRANSPORT POLICY

GOVERNMENT’S PLANS ASSURANCE BY MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. An assurance that it was not the policy of the Government to nationalise the whole of the road transport services was given by the Minister of Transport, Mr O’Brien, replying to-day to a deputation representing the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance, and the New Zealand Carriers’ Federation. The Minister said the Government had no intention of nationalising the road transport industry, but at the same time, the Government would -be obliged to take over some services. The deputation had sought clarification of the Government’s transport policy. At a meeting of the alliance during the day, the Commissioner of Transport, Mr L. G. Laurenson, described the recent statement of the Minister on the Government’s transport policy providing for “the public ownership and operation of road transport services in those cases where such is necessary and desirable in the public interest” as simply a re-affirmation of the assurance given to the transport industry by Mr Savage a number of years ago that where private enterprise was doing the job satisfactorily the State would not interfere. “ I feel," he added, “ that the industry, which I have always maintained has done an excellent job, is entitled to have a good say in what is going on regarding transport policy, and that before any definite departure is made from the existing policy the industry should be allowed to express its views. In my view, the Minister’s statement does not indicate any change in that policy.” Mr Laurenson said if the industry genuinely felt concerned that nationalisation was in prospect it was entitled to come out and fight it.