DRIVERS PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 155, 2 July 1937, Page 3

DRIVERS PROTEST.

MORE TAXI LICENSES.

CITY COUNCIL CRITICISED

Taxi drivers' alarm at the Auckland City Council's alleged departure from a recognised principle of sound .taxi administration in extending the licenses j beyond the accepted economic number ■ ie expressed in a statement issued as a . result of a joint meeting of the Atta j and Checker Taxi Companies. The J meeting discussed the recent decision of ; the council to increase the city's fleet of cabs from 28ti to 300. The statement contends that such action is expected to increase the difficulties existing under the present fare schedule, and the decision w held to be strictly opposed to the declared poliev of the council to improve workers' conditions. It is stated also that the council acted without full consultation with the parties concerned, who could have enlightened the council on the i fallacy of it* proposal to solve the taxi ' problems, believed by it to exist, by the addition of licenses. "At present, except at peak periods, there is a shortage of work, and extra cabs will involve longer working hours for all concerned," the statement adds. "The result, therefore, will be equivalent to a cut in taxi-drivers' wages, and the council, without knowledge or means of correctly as<=c.--:ng the eTrct of its action, is clearly adopting an ill- ' considered and un-Labour-like attitude."