TO GET LICENSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 230, 29 September 1942, Page 4

TO GET LICENSE

HINDU TAXI OWNER

INTERESTING DECISION

An appeal decision by the Transport Appeal Authority has been given by Mr. Justice Frazer concerning an appeal by S. J. Ryan against the decision of the Auckland Metropolitan Licensing Authority dated May 25 last when it granted the transfer of a taxicab license from L. W. Bonney to Bhana Ravla, an Indian.

Mr. Justice Frazer said he. had found that the evidence given before the authority failed to establish any justification for refusing the transfer. "If racial prejudice is so strong (as has been suggested) as to make it impossible for Bhana Ravla to earn a living as a taxi owner, this has yet to be proved," said Mr. Justice Frazer.

"There is nothing on record to tlje detriment of Ravla's petsonal character and his financial position appears to be satisfactory. The legislation does not debar him from holding a taxicab license; and, in the absence of any definite legal proof of his unfitness, I am unable to allow this appeal. I cannot assume, merely because he is a Hindu, that he will break the law of otherwise conduct his business in an improper manner."

Accordingly the appeal was disallowed and the decision of the Metropolitan Licensing Authority confirmed.

Throughout the proceedings Mr. M. Robinson represented Bhana Ravla.