PROTECTING RAILWAYS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1934, Page 7

PROTECTING RAILWAYS

CONTROL OF TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN NEW SOUTH WALES. DEPUTY-PREMIER’S EXPLANATION. INTENTION TO BENEFIT PUBLIC. Interesting information on the control of transport in New South Wales was given to a Daily News reporter last night by the Hon. M. F, Bruxner, D. 5.0., M.L.A., deputy-Premier and Minister ot Transport of that State. He indicated that the control exercised over private enterprise was much greater than in New Zealand. “Our system is rather different from yours,” he said. “Here you have a Min - istry, of Transport and one of Railways. In New South Wales my department controls everything on wheels and everything that those wheels run on. This comprises railways, trams, motor-cars, buses, lorries and all main roads. This has been found to tend toward economy. “Some three years ago we were losing £4.000,000 to £5,000,000 annually on the railways. This y£ar we are budgeting for a loss of only £1,500,000, and this iu spite of reduced fares and freight concessions.” Mr. Bruxner stated that his policy was to regard transport as a public . utility rather than a means of commercial enterprise. The interests of the public should be the only consideration when deciding these problems. The backbone of any producing country was its -railways. They alone could carry the heavy loads, such as manures and produce, at a reasonable rate and they should never be allowed to be hampered by unfair competition.

CHECK ON COMPETITION. “We do not allow any transport service to compete with any railway that can fully supply the needs of any district,” said Mr. Bruxner. “Any other policy would be economically fatal. “Take for instance your own town You have an electric power and a water supply scheme. You would never think of allowing private companies to set up in opposition and cut the price. of electricity and water to the' detriment of the public service. Yet that is exactly what allowing transport vehicles to compete with a railway, where the latter w giving a full service, really amounts to. Mr. Bruxner stated that there was no under-secretary in his department. The three heads were the commissioners, of railways, transport and main .highwaysThere were no boards of inquiry or appeal. The commissioners conference decided each and every question on its merits, with the public interest as their only consideration. Naturally there had been many outcries but the public generally considered that the department was doing valuable work. So far they had had no occasion to restrict private competition except m the case of passenger buses. Farmers with lorries were allowed a 50 per cent, rebate on their licensing fees, provided that they did not do any but their own carting. They were, however, only allowed to cart perishable goods 50 miles. Over that distance they were not even allowed to carry sheep or lambs when railway transport • was available.