"A BOMBSHELL."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 150, 26 June 1937, Page 9

"A BOMBSHELL."

MORE TAXI-CABS. UNECONOMIC POSITION. VIEW OF THE COMPANIES. 'It's a bombshell to us, and leaves us very deeply concerned about the progress of the taxi trade in Auckland," declared the manager of one of the city's major taxi-cab companies this morning when asked his view of the City Council's decision to increase by 14 the present maximum for licensed taxi-cabs.

"We are of opinion that it is uneconomic, and will adversely affect the stability and security of the trade in Auckland."' he added. He went on to explain that it was a recognised principle the world over that a certain ratio of taxis to the population had been proved to be the maximum at which the cabs could operate economically. The maximum established in Auckland only IS months ago was in excess of that recognised ratio. He believed it wa* in excels of the ratio established in other New Zealand cities, and certainly it was above that of the older countries. At the time the local taxi companies felt that they had not been fairly treated, but they decided to give-it a trial.

Experience of the maximum imposed had shown that in their view the position was not satisfactory, and a little time back the companies had made representations to the City Council suggesting changes for the improvement of the taxi service, which included a very slight increase in the fares. He believed that these representations were under consideration, but the companies had not yet had any reply—only this decision to increase what they considered to he an already excessive number of licensed cabs. The companies most decidedly would protest against that increase in number, because it was so much in excess of what had been definitely proven! throughout the world as an econom itratio. ''We have been in prettv close contact with the Minister nf Tian«]>«i: t. and he ha* always j-iven u< his .i.-.ir-ance thiit so far a.- <»o\ei niuent action .was concerned nothing would be doio l without first giving us an op|>oitunity J for consultation. So we arc natural;., concerned that this action ha* lieen taken by a Labour city council without j givinjr us an opportunity of expiessin™ our views. Our only means of security is threatened. W~e certainly intend :>• protest, anil I think the members •»:

the council will be impinged b_\ tue l justice' of our claim."' J