STATE AND TRANSPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 444, 28 August 1928, Page 16

STATE AND TRANSPORT

EXTENSION OF PUBLIC TRADING OPPOSED EMPLOYERS’ VIEW STATED (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. Opposing any extension of Statetrading activities, the Wellington Employers’ Association believes that the tra..sport problem should be tackled in the interest of the Dominion as a whole. A commission of inquiry is suggested. “The Government shows no disposition toward curbing public trading activities, which proceed apace,” says the association’s annual report. “Rather, the Government itself is giving a lead in the matter by acquiring road transport, ostensibly with the object of protecting the railways system. The question of public transport generally is one calling for urgent and fullest inquiry. Private enterprise is being taxed to unreasonable limits In order that good roads may be provided and at the same time is being required to pay the annual deficit on the railways, which is competing with them at unremunerative prices. “The transport problem is one which is causing concern in every civilised country of the world to-day. On the one hand, there are railways, in which huge capital has been invested, running at a loss. Alongside of the railways are being constructed highways upon Which motor transport is engaged at a profit. To afford protection to the railways, motor transport, which is claimed to be the most modern, efficient and economical method of transport, is being injured. “The Government has to decide between curtailing railway services in favour of motor transport, or of restricting motor transport in order to ; protect the railways. It is no light responsibility, and fo,r that very reason a commission comprising the best brains in the country should be set up to assist the Government. Wholly to rely upon the advice of departmental officers may lead to detriment being done to the country as a whole. On proper inquiry it may possibly bo found to be of greater value in the development of the country to foster motor transport and lose a great deal of the capital investment in railways than to save the railway capital and suffer greater losses in other directions. The matter is one which must be tackled in earnest —not from the point of view of the Railway Department, o.r of private enterprise engaged in motor transport, but from that of the general welfare of the Dominion as a whole.”