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"CHAOS" ONl
ROADS
No Control Of
Hire Cars
TRANSPORT
ANOMALY
Hundreds of hire cars are operating
on all the main highways in Victoria
because no Board has been appointed
yet to administer the Transport Regula
tion Act.
The general secretary of the Commer
cial Motor Users' Association (Mr Harry
Witty), discussing the anomalous posi
tion today, said that countless motor
vehicles were now prying for hire, and
carrying passengers from every point
of the State into Melbourne with vans of
any kind.
"A state of chaos exists, and will con
tinue until a board to administer the Act
Is appointed," he said.
"One of the greatest mistakes ever
made in connection with the transport
regulation was the repeal of the Country
Roads Board Act, which has absolutely
prohibited the Country Roads Board
from granting licences, although fees
which have been paid to that body have
had to be put into a suspension account
to await the appointment of the Trans
port Regulation Board.
"CONSTERNATION"
"A state of affairs -has arisen which
has caused consternation among those
men on the road who have always held
Country Roads Board licences.
"New men are 'now taking to the road
without fear, and the legitimate men
are suffering. Under the Country Roads
Board Act, the Princes Highway from
Melbourne to Warrnambool, and from
Pakenham to Bairnsdale, the Western
Tighwny from Melbourne to Horsham,
the Hume Highway from Melbourne to
Wodonga and the Calder Highway from
Melbourne to Bendigo could not be used
by these hire vehicles, but they arc
now running riot along those roads and
others."
PRESSED INTO SERVICE !
Reports indicate that vehicles of any
description are being used by the new
comers to the service,. y-
"O'ne can imagine the rush for licences
that will occur when the Board is ap
pointed.
"It is understood that the Railways
Department intends to object to every
licence applied for by owners of goods
and passengers vehicles who operate
over any parts where a railway service
exists."
Mr Witty emphasised that the interim
licences would not be issued after August
1, and he considered that those going
on to the road at the moment were
jeopardising their chances of getting a
licence under, the Act when they were!
made available;
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