ORGANISING TRANSPORT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 6

ORGANISING TRANSPORT

POSSIBILITY OF MONOPOLY OPINIONS OF MR. C. A. WILKINSON. FEES ON FARMERS’ OWN TRUCKS. The possibility of the creation of monopolies in transport was mentioned in a letter from Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., received by the Eltham .County Council on Saturday in reply to the council's endorsement of the Wanganui County Council’s resolution concerning the operations of the Transport Board. “Generally speaking I am averse to monopolies of any kind,” wrote Mr. Wilkinson. “I fear we must face the position- of organising transport which, it is contended, is in the general interests of the country, particularly in regard, to providing proper and efficient services and the orderly use of public roads. But granting this, it necessarily follows that there is a possibility of creating monopolies which may act.to the public detriment This position we must expect the Transport Board to guard against. “Control might be effected by granting conditional licenses or fixing charges, or both, and also seeing that suitable delivery services are available. All these things, however, might fail, and the alleged cure might be worse than the disease. j “In regard to the payment of heavy traffic fees being sufficient to cover the use of any road subject to classification and local restriction I quite agree that the fees are high and that there is some merit in the Wanganui County Council’s contention, but if the national policy is one of .control this aspect of the case would hardly come into the picture. Regarding heavy traffic fees on farmers’ trucks used for carting farmers’ goods, I have made very strong representations on this matter. An inquiry is now taking place and I suggest that all those interested should make their views known to the investigating authority.” Cr. Messana considered it was not advisable to issue a number of licenses when it was known that these were uneconomic and that there was no chance of the services making good. Cr. Knuckey: Opposition is the life of trade. - The chairman (Mr. A. L. Campbell) pointed out* that restriction of licenses resulted in the creation of monopolies. -Cr. Messana referred to the good work of the transport authorities in removing a number of superfluous bus services that used to tear up the roads when running all over the country with--out an adequate number of passengers. Cr. Knuckey remarked that most of the complaints came from the railways people. If they would lower freights and meet competition they would get. the business and run the others off the roads. ? 1 'GENERAL ITEMS. August Dry at Eltham. August was a drier month than usual at Eltham, according to the rainfall record. The amount of rain wa5,5.85 inches, compared with 7.36 inches in 1933,. 10.46 in 1932, 4.88 in 1931 and 6.88 in 1930. The highest daily fall was 1.18. inches,, and the whole of the total took place in the first’and third weeks. Eltham Druids’ Lodge. * A special meeting of members of the Eltham Druids’ Lodge will be held tomorrow when officers of the Grand Lodge will be present. Compliance with Court Order. Brought before Mr. W. Mclnnes, J.P., at Stratford on Saturday charged with failure to comply with a maintenance order, Michael Joseph Kinealy, a man of no fixed abode, was remanded to appear at New Plymouth on September 17. The warrant for arrest was issued at Hamilton. Bail was permitted on Kinealy’s recognisance of £5O and one surety of £5O. Superintendent Not Involved. Tn a report of the discussion at the meeting of the Stratford executive of the Farmers’ Union last Saturday week on the problem of transport for the district nurse between Tahora and Tangarakau Mr. C. K. McCutcheon was stated to have said that the nurse had been advised by the medical superintendent of the Stratford hospital that she would be . able to look after cases of scarlet fever at Whangamomona instead of sending them to hospital. Mr. McCutcheon did not mention the superintendent who was not involved. No Glare From Headlights. The recent brake and light tests, Cr. Barker said at the Eltham Coiinty Council meeting on Saturday, had done a great deal of good. Coming out from Hawera one night recently he met over 50 cars and without exception all the headlights were satisfactory and there was no glare. CRICKET AT RATAPIKO. . CLUB’S SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The second annual meeting of the Ratapiko Cricket Club was held in the hall on Tuesday night. There was a fair attendance. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president, Mr. O. James, said the balance-sheet must be considered very satisfactory. The club had raised £l6 from social gatherings, and after buying all the necessary material had still over £9 in hand. In the playing season the club had been more than successful. At various times it met batsmen and bowlers of no mean repute, and at all times the team acquitted itself creditably. He thanked the secretary who had always worked with the club’s interests close at heart. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. O. James; vice-president, Mr.'J. Linklater; secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. Therkleson; committee, Messrs. W. Willans, G. .Simpson, L. Dravitzki and G. Linklater; selectors, Messrs. L. Dravifzki and G. Linklater; captain, Mr. O. James; vice-captain Mr. D. Therkleson. It was decided to buy matting for the pitch. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. A flag five hundred evening and dance will take place in the Kahouri hall tomorrow night.

To-night the Eltham fire brigade will hold a dance in the town hall. A good programme of old-time and modem dances has been arranged and a free bus will run from Stratford. The best of orchestral music is being engaged to ensure a successful evening.