MULTIPLE LICENSES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 100, 30 April 1945, Page 6

MULTIPLE LICENSES

RENEWAL APPLICATIONS FIRST TEST CASE BEGUX The first test case in respect of multiple public taxieab license holders to come before the Metropolitan licensing Authority at today's meeting, when all licenses were reviewed, was that of F. Q. Wain (Mr. Haigh). This application was opposed by Mr. F. Haekett, M-P. (Rehabilitation Committee), Mr. A. P. Postlewaite (Auckland R.S.A.), and Mr. R. H. Nicholls (Commissioner of Transport). The question of renewal of these licenses, said Mr. Haigh, should be based on whether the service had been satisfactory, and in respect of his 13 clients there had been no charges made that their services were other than satisfactory. Only three of the licenses with which he was concerned had been purchased from men going overseas, f There had been no suggestion that there was anything improper in the purchasing of multiple licenses, and he suggested that if they were to be reviewed so should similar licenses in respect of hotels, picture theatres, chemists' shops and other concerns. It was a "rank injustice" to single out one small section of the community. Seven of his clients had seen service in this war, one in the last war and the others had either volunteered or been under manpower direction.

After Mr. Haigh's submissions the luncheon adjournment was called.