FIRM POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22460, 22 September 1944, Page 2

FIRM POLICY

TRANSPORT LICENSES OFFER TO SERVICEMEN The futility of people purchasing vehicles before making sure that the necessary licenses to operate them would be granted was emphasised by the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr E. J. Phelan, at a sitting in Hamilton today when a number of applications for transfers of licenses were before him. Mr Phelan also emphasised that preference in all cases would be given returned servicemen. In one instance an applicant who was not a returned serviceman, stated that he had completed the purchase of a truck for which he paid £475. Mr Phelan observed, “ You come along here and ask me to grant you a license which really belongs to one of those boys who will be coming home from overseas.” In adjourning the application, he said he was not prepared to grant a license at the moment.

Essential Condition

Mr Phelan said that when the transfer of a license was contemplated it must first be offered to a returned serviceman. Applicants would have to put with the consequences if this condition were not observed.

Another applicant who said he had purchased a vehicle was asked by Mr Phelan what he would do if he refused to grant him a license. “ I suppose I will go broke,” applicant replied. The Authority intimated that he would adjourn the matter. He had been telling people all over the country of the policy followed in the granting of transfers, but nobody seemed to be taking any notice of him.

In another case it transpired that the applicant had been operating for about six months pending the granting of the transfer of the license. Mr Phelan pointed out that the applicant had been guilty of an offence and adjourned the case for further consideration, adding that it appeared that “rafferty rules” were operating in the district. “Granted with pleasure,” was the Authority’s comment to an application for a transfer to a returned serviceman.