APPLICATION DECLINED

Evening Star, Issue 20780, 30 April 1931, Page 15

APPLICATION DECLINED

WOMAN WANTS TAXI LICENSE COUNCIL CONSIDERS NOT A SAFE OCCUPATION Should a woman be granted a license to ply a taxi for hire? “No,” said the City Council last night by a majority of 6 votes to 3 in supporting the following recommendation ot the General Committee :—“ One application by a woman for a taxi-driver’s license has been declined, the committee being of opinion that licenses for such a calling should not be issued to women.” Cr Scott moved that the clause setting out the recommendation of the committee be referred back to the committee. He, said he did not like the refusing of the lady’s application. .If the applicant were granted a license, surely she could protect herself in regard to the class of work she did. The lady had informed him that she could earn a living by doing hospital and similar work. The council should be very careful in regard to the lino of demarcation in regard to the sexes. Cr Begg seconded the amendment The chairman had said there were certain objections, and he would like to know what those objections were. If there were an objection by the police the application would be turned down automatically. Personally he saw no reason why a lady should not be engaged in the job if she desired it. Certainly Dunedin was more than catered for by taxis, but if the lady wanted the license she should get it, as other ladies were allowed in other walks of life. . . The Mayor said he sympathised with the amendment as far as giving work to women was concerned. He did not see, however, what was to prevent a woman taxi-driver being sandbagged and her car stolen. If she guaranteed to do her work in daylight it might bo all right. At the present time there seemed to be a gang of expert robbers going about. Cr Begg: They haven’t been licensed, have they? The Mayor said they wanted taxi men who could offer some protection, and who would know how to deal with such people. . , Cr Begg: Then they will get off with a light sentence. Cr Wilkinson said he did not believe in refusing a license on sex lines only. The question should bo decided purely on the grounds of character. It seemed to him to be exceedingly unfair if a woman qualified in every way could not (ygjj license. “ Cr'Wilson said he did not agree with Cr Wilkinson. If this license were granted.the council would be establishing a dangerous precedent, and it meant they could hardly refuse other female applicants with suitable characters. He did not object to women competing in other spheres with men, but he thought it wise to keep them out of taxi-driving. ■ Cr Mitchell suggested that the council should take the responsibility in the matter, and not leave it to the committee.

Cr Scott: Get a new committee. (Laughter.) Cr Mitchell said that if the matter were referred back the committee would adhere to its decision. Ho could assure them that the committee did not reject .the application lightly. All circumstances were investigated. How would any councillor like his daughter, wife, or a relative to have a taxi and ho asked by a man to drive to certain questionable places. Tho idea of the committee was to protect young women, not to prevent them from earning a livelihood. It was considered that it was not a safe occupation for women to undertake. As far as the character of tho present applicant was concerned it was excellent. The amendment was lost, the voting being:—For: Os Scott, Wilkinson, and Begg. Against: Crs Shaddock, Lawrence. Mitchell, Campbell, Wilson, and Marlow. The recommendation of the committee was adopted.