NATIONALISATION OF ROAD TRANSPORT SERVICES UNLIKELY

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1946, Page 5

NATIONALISATION OF ROAD TRANSPORT SERVICES UNLIKELY

(P.A.) Wellington, Oct. 3. An assurance that it is not the policy of the Government to nationalise the whole of road transport services was given by the Minister of Transport, Mr. O’Brien, replying today to a deputation representing the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance and New Zealand Carriers’ Federation.

The Minister said the Government had no intention of nationalising the road transport industry, but at the same time the Government would be obliged to take over some services. The deputation had sought clarification of the Government’s transport

policy. Among remits adopted by the Road Transport Alliance conference for action by the council were that the Alliance approach the Minister of Finance requesting that war emergency tax of 4d on motor spirits be removed or substantially reduced, that sales tax be taken off commercial trucks and spare parts, that this conference registers strong protest against the retention of taxes imposed during the war years on heavy duty tyres and asks that all these extra imposts be abolished, and that reasonable guarantee of service from each tyre should be assured. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr. C. Cassidy (Waipukurau: Council, Messrs. J. A. Anderson (Mercer). R. D. Chapman (Martinborough), J. B. Cullen (Ashburton), T C. Galloway (Hamilton), J. O. Musgrove Gisborne), J. Somerville (Balclutha), F. J. Townsend (Gore), L. H Cook (Akaroa), W. Greenhill (Greymouth), J. A. Johnston Kaikoura), F. G. Sheed (Timaru), W. D. Thompson (Te Hoe), R Hooker (Taranaki), P. J. Smith Wanganui), D- T. King (Southland).