TAXI INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25239, 18 July 1947, Page 4

TAXI INDUSTRY

- »■ - APPLICATIONS FOR NEW

LICENCES AUTHORITY RESERVES DECISION The- Christchurch Metropolitan Moensing Authority yesterday concluded hearing evidence in support ot 17 applications for the issue of continuous passenger service licences, after which the chairman (Mr E. H. Andrews) announced that the authority would consider evidence and submissions and come to a decision. At the opening of the sitting on Friday last evidence was taken from one applicant, counsel addressed the authority, and evidence for the objectmg parties was heard. The applicants for new licences were Douglas Brownlie Weir and James Craik Wilson (Mr E. S. Bowie). Edward Beath Horton (Mr B. J. Drake), William John Taylor and Frederick Howard (Mr C. V. Lester), Alfred Bricknidge Coy and James Mahony (Mr J. K. Moloney), Alister Ambrose Bruce and Gordon John David Bruce (Mr E. M. Hay), Lawrence William de Roo (Mr G. P. Purnell), Robert Linton (Mr P. H. T. Alpers), Glenville Nicholson (Mr H. W. Thompson), Ralph Lyon Ashcroft, William John Bpnnon, Stanley Beaumont, Patrick John Duggan, and Mathew Charles Peter Oates. Those who opposed the applications were the Rehabilitation Department (Mr C. G. Rands), which opposed licences Being granted to other than former service personnel, all returned servicemen who at present hold licences (Mr A. W. Brown), and Blue Star Taxis, Gold Band Taxis, Rink Taxis, Ltd., and Kiwi Kabs (all represented by Mr R. A. Young). Evidence contending that there was room for additional licences, as the present fleet could not cope with the demand, was given by several of the applicants, some of whom were at present employed as drivers by various taxi organisations. One witness estimated that the weekly takings on day shifts averaged £2O, and £25 on night shifts. This particular applicant said one owner had told him tnat he would not sell his business for £2OOO.

Address by Counsel Mr Thompson replied to Mr Brown s previous submissions, in which Mr Brown had stated that a strict check would bring about an improvement in services. Mr Thompson contended that such an hnprovement would be temporary only. <lhe only way to provide a continuous, efficient service was to issue more licences, it was a question of men earning a living—not of taxi organisations making profit. , The crux of the position appeared to be whether present licences were being fully operated to full capacity, said Mr Moloney. It was plain that that was not the case. The only way to ensure that licences were fully operated was to issue more licences. , _ . It was remarkable the number of taxidrivers who were applying for licences, said Mr Lester. That in itself Indicated there was a reasonable standard of living within the industry. When objecting to more licences being granted, not one witness nor one organisation which objected had established that the public was receiving adequate service. Earnings indicated the buoyancy of the industry.

Stricter Control Advocated In his reply, Mr Young said that all the applicants were excellent men and there was no. question as to whether they were suitable to enter the industry. He contended that no substantial evidence had been given to say that the public was not receiving an adequate service, it was up to the applicants, not the objectors, to prove that. Evidence given by one of the applicants showed that takings had dropped one-sixth during the last nine or 10 months. Many who had received new licences had sold out at a profit after operating them for a short period. Stricter control might be necessary to ensure that all licences were fully operated, and if it was found that the public was not receiving a service, then the authority could revoke unsatisfactory licences. Returned servicemen in the industry should be given a chance to rehabilitate themselves fully before any additional licences were granted, concluded Mr Young.