EARNINGS OF TAXI-DRIVERS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21315, 7 November 1934, Page 17

EARNINGS OF TAXI-DRIVERS

TO TUB EDITOR 01' TUB I'KESS. Sir, —"Reader" advocates Ihe limitation of taxi numbers iri one of his letters. When this is done already, and he is informed of it, he condemns it, holding that it is too dangerous to be left in the hands of the Labour party. He continues thereby to attack the question on political lines, even after Mr Par Jane has twice told him the measures were passed unanimously by both sides and the middle of the City Council. They evidently were moved by humanitarian motives. The position as outlined by Mr Parlane has given them ample reasons for their action. Further on in his letter "Reader" refers to the one and a half hours a shift of driving time as an actual fact. I gave him this information in my previous letter, which he later referred to as "if this were true or but half true." It is hard for anyone to answer another who is so contradictory, saying "yes" to-day and "no" to-morrow.

However, let me straighten up one or two inaccuracies made by your correspondent. He says that taxi fares are up 50 per cent. The lowest advertised fare to Riccarton racecourse was 6s. To-day the fare under the new scale for four persons (the most the average taxi can seat) is 7s 2d. This is not 50 per cent, increase. To hire a train under conditions similar to hiring a taxi would cost, I believe, about 12s Cd a mile. The penny a mile by train referred to by "Reader" is but for one seat. The taxi waits for the passenger and leaves and arrives both as to time and termini at the passenger's dictation. With the train the reverse obtains. The passenger must adjust himself to a timetable and defined stations. Hence the service for which a taxi passenger pays is wider than the hour and a half of actual driving time. "Reader's" fears of exploitation of workers by the creation of what he has termed a monopoly, has no foundation, as the City Council has the sole right to fix taxi fares. As it is an elective body, representative of all citizens and interests, no such condition as wanton exploitation can possibly occur. "Reader" says he is concerned only as a payer. This is a selfish attitude and not in keeping with so staunch an advocate and supporter of the worker. The council's attitude was more humane; it also considered the working share-driver.—Yours, etc., J.S.M. November 6, 1934. [Subject to the right of reply of E. Parlane, this correspondence is now closed.—Ed. "The Press."]