ROAD TRANSPORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 209, 4 September 1934, Page 6

ROAD TRANSPORT

ITS USEFULNESS TO THE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEW COMMITTEE TO GIVE EVIDENCE A decision to give evidence before the No. 5 Licensing Authority, now sitting in Wanganui, was arrived at by the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce last night, that body being actuated by a conviction that effective goods services by road are vital to the economic welfare of this centre. Mr A. 8. Burgess, president of the chamber, broached the subject, reminding the executive th-at the Railways Board had refused to grant to Wanganui the same privileges allowed Wellington and New Plymouth. That had had the effect of forcing the importers in Wanganui to iook to the road services for prompt and effective, delivery »f goods from the 'centre. Now the Railways Board was opposing the licences issued to goods services operating from the centre. He instanced the variation in Hmes ns between rail and road as affecting Wanganui and Ohakune. An order from Ohaknne received in Wanganui one afternoon would result in the goods, travelling bv lorrv, being delivered at eigh 4 - or nine o’clock the next morning. If the same goods wer?, railed the, purchasers would wait a minimum of three days before thev were ’■eeeiveo Mr W. J. Gilberd: Three davs would bp quick. It sometimes takes five. Mr Burgess: Throe is had enengh, compared with what can be done by road. This is an important matter, and in the interests of the citv and district this chamber should be prepared to give evidence. So far as Wanganui is concerned the distribution of roods is almost, entirely dependent on these lorries. A motion that the chamber give evidence was carried unanimously, and Messrs Burgess. A. E. Rankin. D. G. O’Toole. Bebarfald and W. J. Gilberd were appointed to aVt in that direction. Further reference to the operations of road and rail transport was made when the chamber's protest, at, the Railway’s Board taking over the S.O.S. motor service was resurrected, in the shape of a letter from the Associated Chambers advising that a committee had been set up to go into the matter. A Voice: It is too late now. The railways have taken over, Mr. Burgess: I. think the railways are likely to give a better service so far as ’buses are concerned, but the question we want gone into is whether the railways should encroach any further on enterprise of private people. If the service does not pay, the taxpayers will have to find the money. Mr J A Brinkman: In New South Wales there is no competition with the railways within a 20-mile radius. Mr. Burgess: That will not suit us here. Mr. Brinkman: The Government has the say. so what, are you going to do? Mr. W. J. Gilberd: Get a new Government. Mr. Brinkman: That’s exactly what they did in New South Wales, but the new Government did not make any change.