HEATED EXCHANGES

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19456, 21 December 1934, Page 11

HEATED EXCHANGES

PREMIER AND DEPUTATION

MR STEVENS SPEAKS STRAIGHT.

(From a Correspondent). SYDNEY, November 1. There were heated exchanges between members of a deputation of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Premier (Mr Stevens) when Mr Stevens declared that the Government was trustee for the public and “not for trade interests, and the sooner that principle was realised by the Chamber the better.” . ■ A member of the deputation (Mr J. A. Gilbert) representing the Feeder Bus Operators’ Association, asked if the Government would take action to appoint a Transport Advisory 'Committee to advise on transport coordination. The deputation as a body suggested amendments to the Transport Act. They proposed that the 50 miles exemption for motor lorries, granted at the discretion of the Government, be made statutory, and that private bus operators be granted service licenses instead of provisional licenses now operating.

Many Conflicting Interests.

Mr Gilbert said that the Government bad promised lo appoint a Transport Advisory Committee, but nothing had been done. The Premier: I find there would be so many conflicting interests on such a committee, that the whole thing would be absolutely botch potch. Where could we possibly get unanimity of opinion necessary for 'that committee? Who would you put on it? Mr ‘Gilbert: I would suggest myself.

The Premier: And that is probably one of the reasons you should not be on it.

In' reply to the Minister for Transport (Mr Bruxner), Mr Gilbert admitted that he represented certain motor firms. He was a large shareholder and managing director. Mr Bruxner: And your firm is active in selling buses to the feeder companies. Mr Gibert: Yes.

Policy of the Government,

Mr Bruxner: Do you know the policy of the Government is- not to buy buses from your firm. In fact, we donU buy American vehicles.

The Premier: Do you suggest that you are a man lo go on the Transport Co-ordination Committee. No doubt you want lo embarrass the Government, but we will not put you on the committee.

Mr Gilbert (heatedly): I don’t want that mentioned again. Mr Stevens said that he did not want the deputationisls lo think the Government’s transport policy vwas something haphazard. It was' well

thought out, and Instead of driving the motors off .the road, it had the opposite effect. The number of commercial lorries now registered was never as high as II is to-day. Air Bruxnor said 'that in all things the general public interest was all that he could look at.' The Premier promised to consider the matters placed before him.