DIFFICULT BILL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 241, 10 September 1929, Page 6

DIFFICULT BILL

TRANSPORT LEGISLATION READY SOUTH ISLAND BOARD UNLIKELY (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 9The Government’s bill dealing with transport is expected to make its appearance towards the end of the week. The subject has been extremely difficult to handle, and it is an open secret that the measure, which is in the charge of Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Transport, has received a considerable amount of attention from Cabinet. One of the problems has been that of the Highway Board’s constitution. The Government party included in its election programme a promise of a separate Highways Board for the South Island. However, there have been fairly positive signs that this change would not be welcomed by the majority of the South Island motorists or local bodies. „ , . . , Report has it that, on looking into the details of the organisation necessary to establish a South Island Highways Board, it was found that the administration would not be particularly improved, but there would be a definite increase of several thousands in the expenditure on the staff which would have to come out of the South Island appropriations. The probability is that when the bill is introduced it will be found that the Main Highways Board is to be retained with, however, important changes in the constitution to more equitably represent the taxpaying interests contributing to the board’s large revenue. The South Island opinion on the point will be given a chance of expression after the introduction of the meaure as it will-be referred to a select committee for taking evidence. The Transport Bill involves so many important principles that it is likely to become almost as controversial as land legislation. It is said to be very comprehensive as it will confer on the Minister of Transport the necessary powers to enable him to administer all matters connected with motoring which have had to be regulated in the past and secure a greater degree of .co-ordination in the process. It will contain within its provissions all the legislation and powers relating to road transport ser-vices-on the Statute Book with the necessary amendments to bring them under the control of the Transport Department. MINISTER INTERVIEWED.

As a foretaste of the eventual career of the bill when it comes before the legislature and the public some criticism has already appeared in print, based on what the Minister informs the “Standard’s” correspondent are completely wrong assumptions of its contents.

When Hon. W. A. Veitch was asked to indicate exactly what the bill contains, he was reticent, but he agreed that to prevent misconceptions it was desirable to correct what has already gained circulation. He took exception to a statement that chief among the changes said to be brought about by the Transport Bill is an alteration in the control of the Highways Board which it was said will be taken from the Public Works Department . “The originator of that statement,” commented Mr Veitch, “can scarcely know anything about the present iaw for, as a matter of fact, the Highways Board is in no way controlled at present by the Public Works Department. It is true that the board employs the Public Works Department to do its work, but the board functions entirely independent of the Public Works Department. Another statement is that motorists feel the proposed change to be an unfortunate proposal. “Row,” asked the Minister, “can motorists feel anything about the subject when they do not know the projaosals? They have not yet been communicated to the motor organisations though in due course these bodies will have an opportunity to consider the bill and make their representations. Meanwhile, as they do not, know its contents, they havo wisely refrained from expressing opinions. However, 1 have no doubt regarding the origin of this criticism though it is not what motorists feel. Nobodv. added Mr Veitch, can be caught unawares over this legislation for it will be referred to a select :ommittee to take evidence, and we hope to evolve a measure of real value which will assist in the smooth working of the law relating to a valuable and rapidly developing industry.”