PUBLIC UTILITIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23315, 26 September 1945, Page 4

PUBLIC UTILITIES

State Ownership Advocated (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. It might be that some time in the future the Government might take over all transport. It had promised that it would take over internal air transport, said the Rev. Clyde Carr (Government, Timaru) in the House to-day. He added that he had urged the taking over of the Union Steam Ship Company, and said he thought that would be a good thing. These remarks by Mr Carr, made in an incidental way when he was speaking on the report of the committee which investigated railway and coastal shipping competition, and he had advocated the desirability of ensuraging coastal shipping, led Mr W. S. Goosman (National, Waikato) to contend that the idea that because something was successful it should be taken over by the State was having a disturbing effect on the people. Mi* Goosman said that Mr Carr had stated in a casual sort of *way that some day the Government might take over transport. The attitude of the Government was that nothing was sacred. Mr Carr: I said that some day we might have to take it over. Mr Goosman: Oh, no. That is the alarming state of affairs that we have come to in this country when the Government, as expressed by the member for Timaru, just looks on private property in that way. Another Opposition member: Why should they be able to run it any better? Mr Goosman said it did not matter whether the Government could run it any better or not. The Government’s idea was that if it wanted anything it would take it. That was what the public had to put up with. The Union Steam Ship Company gave good service. It should be left alone, because if the Government had it it would not be as good. Mr Carr: It gives good service at a big price and a big profit. Mr Goosman: There you are. That is the outlook again. If anything is making a good profit let the Government take it over. Mr Goosman said the attitude that because something that had been built up was making a good profit it should be taken over was disturbing people, and it was an idea that should be scotched. Mr Carr: Public utilities should belong to the peoples