TOURS BY TAXI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 174, 25 July 1935, Page 10

TOURS BY TAXI.

MANY RESTRICTIONS.

ADVERTISING FORBIDDEN. TRANSPORT REGULATIONS. The difficulties under which Auckland taxi drivers worked were stressed in an interview to-day by Mr. F. I. Drumin, chairman of directors of the Air Transport and. Touring Automobiles of New Zealand, Ltd., and a driver of an Atta cab. He referred not only to what he termed, the evils of the issue of unlimited taxi drivers' licenses in Auckland, but also to the extraordinary law that forbade taxi companies from advertising their services.

"Taxis are the only form of transport in New Zealand not controlled by a licensing authority," said Mr. Drumm, "The result is that there is unlimited competition in many of the main centres. When one realises that fares in Auckland are the lowest in New Zealand, if not in the British Empire, and. that the general standard of cabs is well above that of any other town, then it is apparent that there is some need for restriction in the number of licenses issued. "It is recognised that the maximum economic percentage of taxis to the population is one to 1000. In Auckland there are over 300 licensed cabs and, in addition, a number of private hire vehicles. Estimating the population of Auckland at about 250,000 the proportion of cabs to the population is about one to 70p, which means extra work to make the taxis pay a reasonable return.

"Then, as ii these difficulties were not enough," continued. Mr. Drumm, "the Government seems to go out of its way to penalise us. One of the most lucrative sources of taxi work, overseas tourists, is almost entirely denied

"We are forbidden to advertise scenic drives or long-distance tours, with the result that overseas visitors know nothing of the services offered by the Auckland taxi companies."

Mr. Drumm said that not long ago, when a luxury tourist liner arrived at Auckland, a launch was sent to meet her flying a banner advertising- a sightseeing tour. But the Transport Department would not give permission for the inclusion of a specimen fare, such as "Rotorua and back, £10." The result -was that the "stunt" lost much of its appeal. Cannot Suggest Tours. Mr. Drumm explained that the only way a taxi-driver could get business was to wait until he was asked by a tourist to "quote" for a tour or to plan out an itinerary. He was forbidden to suggest a proposed tour, either orally or by advertisement, unless he were specifically requested to do so by a prospective client.

"The duty of the Tourist Department is to encourage tourists to come to New Zealand and every facility should be offered them," said Mr. Drumm. "It is not fair that one particular form of transport should be put before visitors and nothing said about a cheaper and equally efficient service. There seeme to be no co-ordination between the Tourist and Transport Departments."

Mr. Drumm said that recently his firm desired to inaugurate a "See Auckland First" campaign, advertising various drives round the city. The proposal was laid before «e Transport Board and a reply was re :eived from the commissioner, Mr. G. 0. Godfrey, to the effect that the Transport Act forbade any car "not licensed for a defined route on a regular schedule" from running such trips.

"Even if the necessary license were obtained," he continued, "the taxis ■would be obliged to run a regular service whether there were passengers or not and keep to the defined route, which would not suit most sightseers. "The whole position is unjust," concluded Mr. Drumm, "and it should be remedied at once." " Illogical Restriction." "If taxis are permitted to undertake scenic tours I fail to see why they should not be allowed to advertise details of their services," said Mrs. Victor Macky, honorary director and organiser of the Auckland Travel Club and a member of the Government Tourist Advisory Board. "I had no idea they were restricted in this illogical way and I must say that I am at a loss to understand it."

Referring to the position that prevails in Auckland regarding motor services for overseas tourists, Mrs. Macky said that evidently the matter had been left in the hands of the Auckland Tourist Bureau, which had arranged for only one firm to service the tourist ships.

"Now, I understand the position has liecn brought to the notice of the Minister of Tourists," said Mrs. Macky, "and I am sure that he, being a very fair-minded and conscientious Minister, will see that arrangements are made which will be satisfactory to all concerned. I personally have given my services in an honorary capacity as director and organiser of the Auckland Travel Club and as a member of the Government Tourist Advisory Board with a view to benefiting the community as a whole,.and there is every reason to say that the taxi companies who operate as a band of taxi driverowners, employing up to 200 men in each company and paying license fees, are entitled to a fair share of the tourist business."