TRANSPORT LICENSING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 274, 19 November 1943, Page 4

TRANSPORT LICENSING

PREFERENCE TO MEN BACK FROM OVERSEAS

, Auckland, Nov. 17. A statement that the recent amendment to Transport Licensing Emergency Regulations, empowering licensing authorities to give first preference to applications by returned servicemen lor new road transport licences had been introduced primarily for the purpose of assisting in the rehabilitation ol discharged men was made by the Minister ol Transport, Hon. J O’Brien.

Many of the returned men have had valuable experience in operating mechanical transport in the armeu services, and are now anxious to take the open-air life offered in tile roaa transport industry," the Minister said. “When considering applications lor new licences, or for the transfer of existing licences, licensing authorities now have to give definite preference to discharged servicemen.

"Ihe regulations also give power to licensing authorities to control the selling prices ot existing transport businesses. Due to petrol and tyre restrictions which have enhanced the values ot many services, vendors are asking in some cases exorbitant prices for so called goodwill." The Government was determined that those men who had fought for our liberties should not be exploited.