TAXI DRIVERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 17

TAXI DRIVERS

DISPUTE ADJOURNED

The Dominion taxi drivers' dispute was resumed in Conciliation Council yesterday afternoon after an adjournment to allow both parties to consider the claims and counter-claims, but no agreement could be reached regarding wages, hours of work and .-, holidays, and it was decided to adjourn the dispute and await legislative developments. The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. M. J. Reardon, presided. In the morning a deputation of the assessors waited on the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) and asked that the taxi industry be brought undter uniform control as soon as possible. Legislation was ready to do this but, although it would be brought down- at the next session, it would not be brought into force until May, 1940, it was stated. It was with the object of trying to get the legislation put into effect asi soon as possible after it was passed that the deputation went to the Minis- j ter.

In the afternoon the employers went through the counter-claims again, having conceded some points, but the workers' assessors, after adjourning to discuss them, were not satisfied. Before they adjourned Mr. F. C. Allerby, agent for the workers, said that they had been taken too cheaply and would have to tighten up. Other industries were being given better wages and conditions of work. The Hon. W. Hayward, an employers' assessor, said that the taxi industry was one of the few industries in which Jhe price could not be passed on. The fares were fixed for them.

The workers' assessors retired but declined to accept the employers' offer. It was eventually agreed to adjourn the hearing to a date to be arranged between Mr. H. Bishop, employers' agent, Mr. Allerby and Mr. Reardftfi*