BRISK EXCHANGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 79, 30 September 1936, Page 12

BRISK EXCHANGES

THE TAXI INQUIRY

CHRISTCHURCH METHODS

RIVAL FIRMS

(By Teleßrapli—l'rt-ss Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

There were some brisk, exchange! between the Hon. W- Hayward, M.L.C., manager of the Rink taxi firm and Mr. C. S. Trillo, proprietor of the Gold Band Taxis, when Mr. Hayward concluded his evidence before the Taxi Inquiry Committee this morning. •

In cross-examination Mr. Trillo drew the observation from Mr. Hayward that "the Gold Bands were such outlaws and bylaw breakers that no meeting to straighten things out would think of inviting a Gold Band representative."

Christchurch had a population of 132,530 and the number of taxi licences was 165, said Mr. Hayward. It would be much better to reduce the number of licences to one per 1000 of the population. In the last four years his firm had had ' only eight accidents.

"I have not paid a dividend for ten years," said Mr. Hayward in reply to a question frovn Mr. Trillo. Mr. Trillo then gave details of the Gold.Band taxi drivers' earnings, saying that some had earned as high'as £14 a week. "Would you be surprised to hear that?" asked Mr. Trillo.

Mr. Hayward: I could never be surprised by anything -you could say or do.

"You said you had made a blunder. What was it?" Mr. Trillo asked.

Mr. Hayward: I blundered in imagining that your unfair tactics would soon be stopped.

Mr. Trillo: The Court held that my methods were legal.

"With your convictions both .here and in Invercargill it might be as well not to talk about courts,'? replied MrHafrward.

Mr. Trillo: Why was I not asked to the taxi proprietors' meetings?

'Gold Band taxis," said Mr. Hayward to the chairman (Mr. P. M. Butler), "are such outlaws, such bylaw breakers, that no meeting of people making a genuine effort to straighten things out would think of asking a Gold Band representative. Gold Band cabs are outlaws."

Mr. Trillo, in evidence, said he introduced the hiring or commission system. As a result of a Supreme Court action he was allowed to continue and this meant the winding-up of the Taxi Drivers' Union. Mr. E. Parlane, secretary of the union, had been up against him ever since and had been active in getting firms and others to boycott him., Mr. Parlane had used his influence as a city councillor to turn the council against him. The City Council had even circularised local firms asking them to cancel' contracts with Gold Band.

"In 1929," added Mr. Trillo,- "a deputation of my drivers asked my assurance that they would not be put on wages. To this I agreed, and I have kept my word."