UNIFIED CONTROL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 941, 11 December 1933, Page 7

UNIFIED CONTROL.

New Transport Proposal Favoured. CHRISTCHURCH OPINIONS. Opinions expressed in Christchurch this morning were in favour of bringing the control of transport under one authority, as proposed by the Goveminent. “ There is a big reason why there should only be one authority,” said the manager of one firm which has motor services operating in many parts of the South Island. “At the present time there is no security. For instance, an application comes before either the District Licensing Authority or the Central Authority and, after a decision is given, someone comes along and appeals against the decision, and until the Appeal Board sits you do not know where you are. “ One board to give a final decision is an excellent idea, for what is the good of setting up one board to undo the work that another board has done? ” The service firm manager explained that applications came before the Central Authority when the route taken ran through more than one district; the District Authority controlled those services that operated only in one district. In the past the Transport Licensing Act had been termed the “ Railway Protection Act,” owing to the preferential treatment the railways had received. However, during the past year the attitude of the transport authorityhad altered considerably, it had become more liberal towards the private concerns, and the railways had received no more favourable treatment than anyone else. “ The board has taken into consideration that this service and that service are in the interests of the public. I don’t think there is any need for a number of small boards, and the present proposal is a liberal one.” “ More Power.” “ It looks as if the new proposal will give the new authority more power,” said another bus proprietor. “ The new board will be something after the style of the Appeal Board, but will have wider powers. “ The stage has been reached where most of the unnecessary services have been eliminated, and it looks as if those operating at present will be sure of their licenses except in a few cases where co-ordination might be arranged. It is hard to say who will be appointed to the new board. “ The Central Licensing Authority in future will consist of one man, as it is thought that the work will be so easy that only one man will be necessary. It looks as if the appointment of the new co-ordination board will be something in our favour.” The Transport Law Amendment Bill, which provides for the establishment of a co-ordination board for the purpose of advising the Government on the problems relating to the control of all forms of transport was passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday, The legislation will operate from February 1, 1934. An amendment was inserted by the Minister of Transport, the Right Hon J. G. Coates, specifically exempting metropolitan areas from the operations of the central licensing authority. The Minister said that it had been considered that metropolitan areas were immune from the operations of the legislation, but as doubts had been expressed by the Wellington City Solicitor, the amendment would place the matter beyond all doubt.