MOTOR TRANSPORT,

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19012, 1 August 1933, Page 2

MOTOR TRANSPORT,

IMITATION ,03 SERVICES. QRAVM OONOBRN IXPRISBID, AMENDMENT 0? ACT URGED, {By Telegripli.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. la view of recent Judgments given in transport appeal oases at Auckland road transport organisations are expressing gravo concern for the future of their industry. They consider that the Transport Licensing Act definitely tends to eliminate all road competition with the railways. “We have reached the turning of the wavs in regard to road transport, said Mr H. J. Knight, secretary of the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance and the White Star Tourist Services, Limited, in a statement to-day. "We now have a definite interpretation by the final authority as to.the conditions under which road ■will be permitted to function. The judgments in the recent transport appeal cases appear to make it clear that servioes which compete with the railways will not be permitted. We do not question these judgments, of course,, but we do claim that the Act urgently requires amending if road transport, services are to continue. Competition Eliminated- " Notwithstanding assurances given, by Cabinet Ministers and others that the Transport Act was not concerned with bolstering up the interests of the railways, competition with them Is being steadily eliminated. The principal factor, which appears to have been lost sight of in the Transport Licensing Act, is public convenience ■ which is deflnitely'.affected. In other countries motor transport opposition to State-owned railways hasfbeen legislated practically out'of existence. This is now occurring in New Zealand, and we have yet to learn that such action has proved a satisfactory solution of the problem. ’ “It remains to be seen whether ihe public will tolerate the extent of the elimination or the curtailment of motor services, bearing in mind the effect is ' yet to be felt and appreciated. There can be no question as to the value of motor transport, any more than there can be of the value of rail transport, but tlie elimination of transport facilities affecting the public convenience is a serious bar to the progress and welfare of any country, "Legislative Bludgeon." "It may- safely be said the public ■ are fully aware of their liability for the maintenance of the railways or losses Incurred in their running, and, further, the extent of thp support accorded motor transport has been with the full knowledge of their liability. The support, therefore, must bo due to the convenience afforded by motor transport. Publlo attention is drawn to the Important matter of transport facilities afforded by motor ■endow and control as exemplified by the Transport Licensing Act, whloh Is apparently a very' effective legislative : .bludgeon for the use of the Railway Department on a competitor bound and helpless."