Minister Denies Taxis Hamstrung

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30535, 2 September 1964, Page 5

Minister Denies Taxis Hamstrung

(New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, Sept; 1. The suggestion that the taxi industry was “hamstrung” by regulations was denied by the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) in Nelson this morning.

Speaking at the opening of the New Zealand Taxi Proprietors’ Federation’s’ annual conference, the Minister said federation members who thought recent changes had not been in their best interests would do well to compare present-day conditions in the industry with those when the committee of inquiry reported on the taxi industry in 1937.

“Many will feel hamstrung by the regulations,” he said. It was irksome to some but many of the changes were a result of the welfare state. Mr McAlpine said it Was a world-wide trend today and the federation would have to put up with more interference by the Government Public Interest Members could, however, look upon licensing from the point of view that the purpose of it and the control of any industry ought to be the promotion of public interest to a degree better than would be the case without that licensing and control. Mr McAlpine told about 80 taxi proprietors that he was convinced that the industry had a bright future. He also assured the proprietors’ annual cpnference that it was not the- Government’s wish or intention to place any unnecessary restrictions on the taxi Industry. “Whenever changes are contemplated, due to changing

conditions or other factors, the industry will always be given an opportunity to consider and comment on the proposals.”