Drivers’ Claim Disputed

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31384, 1 June 1967, Page 3

Drivers’ Claim Disputed

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 31. Fares would rise and taxis would be priced out of business if drivers were paid wages instead of a commission, an Auckland accountant, Mr R. G. McGregor, told the Arbitration Court today. Commission payments were the most equitable method of sharing a taxi’s earnings between driver and owner, said Mr McG-egor. Taxi-drivers are seeking a new award, including a wage increase of £1 10s a week. The general secretary of the Drivers’ Federation (Mr W. J. Welsh) is representing the

taxi-drivers and Mr R. Taylor the Wellington Employers’ Federation.

On the bench are Judge A. P. Blair, Mr W. N. Hewitt and Mr A. B. Grant. Mr McGregor said he had been surprised to hear drivers say in evidence that they had worked up to 72 hours for low returns.

His company’s drivers consistently took an average of £1 in fares every hour and rarely exceeded 60 hours’ work a wdH|rMr McGregor said too little had been said about tips enjoyed by drivers. These would average 30s a week. Mr A. G. Hall, a Wellington public accountant, called by Mr Taylor, continued his evidence when the hearing resumed this morning. He said yesterday that an increase of 20 per cent in taxi fares could be necessary if a new award were made. Today Mr Hall said that any increase in fares would not be easily absorbed. He felt the public using taxis had changed over the years. Persons in the lower income bracket used them now.

“I believe in days gone by the taxis were used by wellheeled people who could afford to pay high fares and were quite prepared to do so for the convenience of the service that was available.

“But my impression is that with the increase in the number of private cars available and the fact that many people are two-car families

the lower income bracket person is the one who uses taxis —those who cannot afford a car.” He said he considered the industry at present was financially unsound for the ownerdrivers.