Driver gives up lavalava

Press, 12 October 1988, Page 8

Driver gives up lavalava

PA Wellington A Wellington taxidriver, Mr Joe Hollywood, has bowed to his employer’s demands that he exchange his traditional Samoan lavalava for a pair of trousers. Mr Hollywood was threatened with withdrawal of his taxi permit if he did not comply with the dress code of his employer, the Wellington Taxi Society. The code stipulates drivers wear dress trousers. After meeting the society’s board on Monday, Mr Hollywood agreed to abide by the society’s dress code. The society’s general manager, Mr Peter Thompson, who had warned Mr Hollywood his permit would be withdrawn if he did not comply with the code, said yesterday the matter was now closed. Samoan community leaders have attacked the rules which threatened to put Mr Hollywood off the road . for wearing his national costume. The Parumoana Community College’s council chairman, Mr Tino Meleisia, who is also Samoan, said the permit withdrawal threat was "the most stupid thing” he had heard. New Zealand was a multi-cultural society and the Wellington Taxi Society’s dress code was based on “palangi values,” he said. “Samoan people wear lavalavas to church,” he said.