LUXURY MOTOR SERVICES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21647, 4 December 1935, Page 12

LUXURY MOTOR SERVICES

SPECIAL CATERING FOR TOURISTS TWO LICENSES GRANTED AT AUCKLAND (TOBSS ASSOCIATION TELBGBAM.) AUCKLAND; December 3. "The importance of thoroughly catering for overseas tourists is great, and special services are both - necessary and desirable," said Mr J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the Central Licensing Authority in granting to Johnston's Blue Taxis, Ltd. (Mr Finlay) and Motorways (Mr Wallace) licenses to carry, from Auckland only, ; persons visiting the country from overseas. A further application by New Zealand Tours, Incorporated (Mr Keegan) was declined. , , "These are in the nature of luxury services," continued Mr Allum. "To a certain extent they will create their own business, and will handle only a small amount of the business which would go to regular means of travel. However, if the method of booking appears to be unsatisfactory even by strong suspicion, the decisions will be reviewed." The applications were opposed by the Railway Department and certain motor operators. During the hearing of the application of New Zealand Tours, Mr Keegan said the organisation wanted the right to carry tourists from the main ports in the country; but he said it would not run on service car routes. It was stated that under the Transport Licensing Act, an incorporated society could not operate for pecuniary gain. A license was therefore refused; but it was suggested by Mr Allum that application could be made individually or as a company, "The class of person who makes special demands and is willing to pay special prices is now coming to this country, and such persons should be able to obtain what they want," said Mr Finlay, when the application of Johnston's Blue Taxis, Ltd., was being heard. "They should not be constrained, but should be encouraged and met by special conveniences for their comfort. Tourists demand to travel in luxury, and there will be no such traffic if they are made to travel on our internal services. We are prepared to adjust our fares so as not to interfere with such Services, which would not get the business in any case."

Mr Finlay said that any set timetable would be impossible, as it must be governed by the arrival and departure of ships. He also said tourists thought taxi-cabs were too small for these trips, and that, service cars had to run to time-table. It was decided that the evidence taken in this case should be applied lo the application of Motorways. Both applications were granted, and it was suggested that the operators should confer as to fixing a scale of fares. "