It was introduced following a Royal Commission on road and rail competition in 1930.

In 1933, the Act was amended to cover all rural road carriers carting in excess of 5 miles (8 km).

In 1936, the protection of railways was extended to cover all freight conveyed over distances greater than those specified by the Act.

This was by far the most crucial regulation, as it gave rail an effective monopoly on long-distance freight transport.

[1] The Act was repealed in 1982, effectively deregulating land transport and opening the railways up to competition.