Control of Taxi Services

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 11

Control of Taxi Services

Sir, —Regarding the controversy that appears to be leading to big news, we beg a favour from you, sir, to publish our point of view. As one of the successful co-operative taxi organisations in this city, we must admit that we uavo no cause to complain. The letter in “The Dominion” of July 16, signed “Driver,” complaining that he had only taken 13/6 for a whole night’s work of 14 hours, is, indeed, a tragic story. The reason for thia deplorable state of affairs is obvious to anyone who has but an elementary knowledge of the taxi business. There are too many drivers seeking a livelihood in this field of effort, and further, we are atraid many drivers are competing unfairly for a living against the legitimate taximen, for it is safe to mention that some are in receipt of sustenance from the Government.

As a point to Illustrate ou” argument that there are too many drivers, we'U say that there are 100-cabs turning over £lOO0 —each cab receiving £lo—-assum-ing each cab has one driver (£lO per man). Now, if each cab has two drivers, the proceeds per man would decrease proportionately. This illustration serves pretty well, because a single-shifted car (a cab with only one driver) will invariably work the peak hours. It is our experience as a taxi organisation has limited the number of double-shifted cars (cars with two drivers) for a number of years, that everyone concerned (owners and drivers) benefit from this restriction. , . We are wholeheartedly in favour of drivers getting a fixed wage and deplore the commission system. We consider that, with the coming of improved wages, which is inevitable, conditions will automatically decrease the number of drivers, and the Hon. Minister’s efforts to straighten this mess will not be required. Mr. Fenton's suggestion is but a wild and fantastic scheme, based on surmise and inexperience, and we would rather be left to our own resources. The City Council has fixed a standard fare to be charged by all taxis operating in this city, and has made a dismal failure of the enforcement of this by-law: the council’s efforts directed to other channels would be better appreciated. The police have always exercised supervision over men engaged in this business. Your contributor, Mr. Vile, stated that a taxi telephone concern rakes off £9OOO yearly by payment of levies from own-er-drivers; these owner-drivers have our sympathy, but that particular company has shareholders to appease, and they in turn musl be considered. The men in that company must evidently lack initiative. otherwise they would not tolerate such oppression. In conclusion, we consider the principle concern of taximen is the limitation of licences issued, the proper enforcement of the by-law regarding fares, and then let the Government fix the wages for the drivers. —We are, etc., EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, DIAMOND CABS. Wellington, July 21.