TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 66

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

MOTOR TAXATION. WELLINGTON, February 25. The constitution and functions of the Transport Advisory Council, together with the scope of the inquiry of the forthcoming. Motor Taxation Conference, were announced by the Prime Minister (Sir Joesph Ward) to-day. “ Regarding the organisation of transport,” said the Prime Minister, “iu addition to the appointment of the Minister of Transport (Mr W. A. Veitch), the setting up of a Transport Advisory Council has been authorised. This will consist of one representative to be appointed by the Government to act as chairman, one representative to be nominated by the North and South Island Motor Unions, one representative to be nominated by the New Zealand Master Carriers' Federation, one representative to be appointed by the Labour organisations, one representative to be nominated by the omnibus proprietors, one representative to be nominated by the service car proprietors, one representative to be nominated by the wholesale and retail motor trade, one representative to be nominated by the New Zealand Counties’ Association, and one representative to be nominated by the New Zealand Muncipal Association. The council will work in conjunction with the Minister and the commissioner, who is to be appointed. The commissioner will be the administrative head of the department.

“In October last,” the Prime Minister continued, “the late Government notified the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Federation that a joint conference would be arranged early in March for the purpose of discussing motor taxation in all its aspects, and the motor regulations particularly. An intimation was given that the conference would be attended by representatives of motor vehicle owners, county councils, municipalities, the Main Highways Board, the Public Works Departnient, and possibly other interested bodies. The Master Carriers’ Federation was also notified that it would be allowed four delegates to the conference. “ It is intended to convene this conference as soon as possible," said Sir Joseph, “and Cabinet has decided that the following subjects be included in the agenda paper, and that the conference be requested to submit its views on these matters to the Government:—

1. “ What amendment should be made to the existing legislation and regulations relating to motor vehicles. 2. “ An outline of the direction in which it is considered the incidence of the different taxes on motor vehicles is excessive or inequitable, to what extent is this so, and what adqjustments should be recommended.

_ 3. “ The direction in which the allocation of the revenue is equitable, to what extent and what adjustments should be made.

4. “ What immediate action should be taken in the public interest to ensure that the existing services are being run with due regard to safety, particularly in the respect to the hours of duty of the men employed, and to the hours of their employment.”

The Prime Minster added that all matters affecting revenue and expenditure under its various branches would, of course, be referred to the Minister of Finance for final consideration.

MOTORISTS KEENLY DISAPPOINTED. CHRISTCHURCH, February 26 The constitution of the National'Transport Advisory Board proposed by the Government does not meet with the ap-prov-al of motor officials in Christchurch. Mr P. R. Harman (secretary of the South Island Motor Union) and Mr J. S Hawkes (secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association) to-day complained of the representation on-the board and of the failure to consult motoring interests. -■

Mr Harman said that the proposal evidently was to have on the board one member representing the North and South Island Motor Unions. It was not sufficient. Motorists generally in New Zealand were about 183,000 strong. Probably 150,000 of those were private car owners. All they had was the same representation as the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Association and other organisations, which represented trade interests, and did not care for the interests of the great mass of the users of the roads. Mr Harman complained particularly that the motorists’ organisations had not been informed of the proposals. The previous Minister of Public Works, he said, promised to arrange a conference to discuss questions of general interest to motorists, but all Mr Harman knew was obtained from references in the newspapers. The previous Minister had asked for two representatives of the South Island Union, which stated that it would send representatives if a date .for the conference was fixed. The delegates were appointed, but nothing further was heard of it. “We feel that it would be ridiculous to be .dominated by a board composed of the worst users of the roads,” Mr Hawkes said. “The ridiculousness of our having only one representative is obvious. We might as well stop at home. We have nothing to guide us, and we are in the dark. In taxation and other matters their interests are opposed to ours.” Mr Harman has received the following telegram from the secretary of the North Island Motorists’ Union:— “Is your union taking any action in regard to the Prime Minister’s statement that one motorists’ representative will be included on the proposed advisory board? Obviously it is not sufficient representation. I suggest immediate concerted action.”

To this Mr Harman replied as follows: “ I agree that it is advisable to take concerted action. I am endeavouring to

make arrangements to submit a date for a conference in Christchurch of the North and South Island Unions.”

AUCKLAND, February 27. The constitution of the Transport Advisory Council, as announced by the Prime . Minister, was considered by the executive of the Auckland Automobile Association, and it was decided to submit to the Government the association’s view that due consideration had not been given to the interests of private motor users; for, while they constitute the great majority, it is proposed that they should have only one representa* tive on the council of 10 members.

NEW DEPARTMENT OF STATE. WELLINGTON, February 29. The Minister of Transport (Mr W, A. Veitch) stated this afternoon that arrangements are in train at present for the setting up of a new Department of State which is to control the transport administration. The department will be entirely separate from other Government departments, and negotiations are now in progress for the selection of a suitable location for the offices. The appointment of officers is under consideration by the Government.