NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 248, 17 July 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Citizens of Wellington will fully approve of the serious view taken by the City Council on the question of taxicab service and charges. If, as asserted, there has been a recent tendency on the part of certain drivers to over-charge, as well as to deny service to those sections of the public which arc familiar with the correct schedule of fares, it will have to be speedily and sternly checked. Taxis are part of the community’s essential services. It is because of .this that they are permitted to draw special allowances of petrol. They must understand that it is their duty, in return for this privilege (as well as under the terms on which they hold licences to ply for hire) to provide a fair and equitable service to the public as a whole, within the limits to which they are restricted. One important factor influencing what was termed a taxi “racket” was, however, overlooked during the council discussion. This was the recent introduction of lavish tipping. Whereas one or two drivers may have been guilty of over-charging, a great many have lately been receiving amounts considerably in excess of their charges. The temptation to select those customers who are prepared to tip extravagantly is probably what has led, in many instances, to the complaints voiced. There is no law against tipping, and drivers lire entitled to enjoy whatever harvest they are able to reap from this field. But they will have to take customers as they come, and give a fair service to the city—tips or no tips. At the same time the city authorities might well drop a word in some suitable quarter that the friendly generosity of liberal over-payment, in this direction and that, has certain disadvantages to the community. The so-called taxi racket is simply an example of tlie effects of the monetary inflation confronting this country—an evil which is inflamed by unnecessarily free spending.

For the second time in the course of a week or two the E.P.S. has assisted the community promptly and effectively. It was developed after the outbreak of war, for the purpose of civil defence, but the first serious local tests have come from earthquake and flood. And in both emergencies the organization has worked well. Tlie various duties have come to be regarded as an extension of the responsibilities of the civilian, but it took the threat of enemy action to bring that recognition. In ordinary circumstances there would have been no comparable organization of the kind to assist the districts that suffered severely from the recent earthquake, and local authorities would have had to improvise what aid they could in dealing with the dangers and difficulties caused by flood. Tlie value of the E.P.S. has thus been proved and this should have the effect of strengthening the general resolve to have such an organization available in times of peace. It remains to bo seen whether, when the stern necessity for preparing for hostile action has been removed, there will be sufficient incentive to maintain the E.P.S.; but people will certainly hope that,,.in the post-war order, there will be a sufficiently strong civic spirit, and community enterprise to maintain a citizens’ movement of this character.

The opening this week of the new Allied Services Club has done something to meet the need in Wellington for increased facilities for servicemen, and no doubt this well-equipped “centre of hospitality” will be much used and appreciated. It appears, however, that something larger than a converted restaurant is required—a hall or building capacious enough to become a general rendezvous for those who are training and serving away from their homes, and whose leave trips take them to the city. From time to •time the Town Hall has been suggested for the purpose. It is probably the largest available building in the capital, and it is centrally situated. A drawback to such a proposal is that the hall is in demand for dances, concerts and occasional meetings, but careful planning might enable it to fulfil all functions without unduly hampering any one of them.