TAXI SERVICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 117, 19 May 1937, Page 9

TAXI SERVICES

LOCAL BODY CONTROL *

ISSUE OF LICENCES

(By Telegraph—Press \ Association.) : AUCKLAND, May 18. In spite of a recent recommendation by the special committee of investigation that the licensing of : taxis in Auckland be vested in the. Auckland Transport Board,, the general Supervision of taxi services will still be carried out by the City Council. This was made clear by the Minister of Transport'(the Hon. ; K. Semple) in his replies to deputations from the- City Council and taxi companies. ~ .: "I have given no indication that we intend to confirm the report in all its details," Mr. Semple said. "For ' oha thing I am definitely opposed to control of telephone systems by the Post and Telegraph Department. The otily thing that concerns me is the proper running of the service. I have di»> cussed the matter with departmental officers, and I realise it would be fatal to have divided control. If we are going to vest authority in '.city councils in other cities we should not discriminate against Auckland. 'The council has the organisation to do the job and that is what counts. I am riot prepared-to take the control of taxjs awax from the council and hand it So the Transport Board. •'

The Minister repeated his assurance that the City Council would remain tha licensing authority for taxis when; a deputation waited on him subsequent, ly representing two large taxi companies in Auckland. -It was the duty of taxi interests to co-operate with th«/ council in an effort to attain the r* quisite degree of efficiency, he- said: