PASSENGERS CARRIED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6138, 19 September 1945, Page 4

PASSENGERS CARRIED

ON CREAM LORRIES FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION “ It seems to me that the majority of those people who travel on cream lorries are Maoris getting a free trip into town to collect their social security,” said Mr R. T. Davis when a recent circular to cream carriers, pointing out that it was an offence for goods operators to carry passengers in their vehicles, was being discussed at a meeting of Otorohanga branch of the Farmers’ Union. At the previous meeting of the branch representations wer e made to the Minister of Transport regarding the matter, as members considered that cream carriers supplied a service to out-back settlers who had no other means of reaching town. A reply was received from the Minister stating that prior to the war operators were not permitted to carry passengers, but with the tyre and benzine shortage brought about by war conditions .the regulation had not been strictly enforced. It was also pointed out that it was unfair to licensed passenger operators to allow carriers to transport passengers, while another reason for the regulation was to prevent the carrying of passengers on vehicles not designed or adapted for the purpose. Mr Davis: It is also unfair to the carriers, who are not protected by third-party insurance and would thus be liable for damages in the event of an accident. Mr Strawbridge said that in his opinion the majority of carriers did not want to carry passengers, and did it only to oblige suppliers. In most eases no charge was made. It was eventually decided to defer the matter until the views of the Carriers’ Association , had been ascertained.