ROAD FREIGHT SERVICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 8

ROAD FREIGHT SERVICES

GOVERNMENT PURCHASES STATEMENT BY MINISTER [ Ter Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, June 8. An announcement in connection with the Government’s proposal to take over the road freight services under its policy of transport co-ordination was made to-day by the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Transport, who also outlined the machinery for the taking over of these services. Two purchase officers had been appointed, and any dispute will be settled by a tribunal, the personnel of which is Sir Francis Frazer, chairman; Mr L. H. Heslop, public accountant, Wellington, representing the road transport interests; Mr S. S. Millington, representing the Railways. The purchase officers appointed are: Mr H. Valentine, second assistant to the General Manager of Railways, and Mr J. D. Brosnan, land purchase officer of the Public Works Department. The purchase officers will be assisted by an investigating accountant from the Treasury Department and three officers experienced in the construction and operation of motor vehicles. Mr Semple said that a careful examination had been made, embracing the whole field of road and rail competition, and it had been decided to commence negotiations with the following services having schedules and all operating over relatively long distances, the longest being Wellington to New Plymouth, and the shortest Wellington to Featherston. 42 miles. A start would be made with the service from Auckland to Whangarei. Services running south from Auckland would be dealt, with next, while those running out of Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin would be dealt with in that order. In cases where the operators are agreeable to enter into negotiations, every endeavour will be made to have them completed as soon as possible. In cases where the operators are not agreeable to negotiate consideration of the application for a renewal of the existing licences will be proceeded with as provided in the Transport Licensing Act. Mr Semple said that an effort had been made to create the impression that the employees of the services taken over will suffer. “I want to make it quite clear that the Government is desirous of seeing that no employee will suffer anything in the way of hardship, and every effort will be made to continue the employment of those affected, or, failing that, to provide other work for them.”