PASSENGERS IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1932, Page 2

PASSENGERS IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

(To the Editor). Sir, —Some of Mr. Day’s statements to the Taranaki Automobile Association in the matter of the Transport Act should come as a surprise to No. 5 Transport Authority. As the mover of the original remit to the Farmers’ Union Conference, I made very sure of my ground before calling on that very influential body for its assistance. The district inspectors had verbally warned lorry, drivers against the carrying of any passengers whatsoever, more especially school children, and the secretary of the authority had confirmed his action in letters to various lorry owners. One of these letters I was permitted to read. I then wrote to the secretary putting the case of the children and also of the people unserved by a motor service. The reply stated definitely that the Act was clear and adamant on the point, and that in the case of the school children it was the Education Department’s place to provide their transport. (This a truly purple patch in departmental co-operation in the economy campaign!) This letter I read at the Inglewood conference. Since then several drivers of my acquaintance have had to cease entirely their: courteous practice of giving lifts while the Transport Authority proceeded sternly in its interpretation of the Act until the recent case at Stratford gave a check. So who made the wrong staternents? Did not our representative, Mr. O. J. Harris, have the highest authority Tor his “misinformation?” Certainly ; hc was not sent to explore a mare’s nest by his fellow farmers. —I am, etc., W. T. McCAW. Kaimata, August 5, 1932.