MINISTER ENDORSES REPORT

Evening Star, Issue 22632, 26 April 1937, Page 14

MINISTER ENDORSES REPORT

[Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 26. In an interview, Mr Semple (Minister of Transport) said that he was now in a position to release the report made by the recent committee of inquiry into the taxi and town carrying businesses. The recommendations of the committee, together with the steps that will he ta/ken in connection with each, are set out hereunder: — Recommendation No. 1: That all taxi services be brought under the provisions of the Transport Licensing Act. I agree with this recommendation,' and am having draft amending legislation giving effect to it prepared _ tor submission to Parliament next session. There is power in the 1936 amending legislation to give effect to this re-, commendation by declaration by the Minister of Transport. As, however, the original legislation specifically excluded taxis from the'licensing provisions, I consider that Parliament should give the final decision. Recommendation No. 2: That the metropolitan licensing authorities under the Transport Act carry out the licensing of taxis in and around the four main pities, and that the licensing outside these areas be carried out by two new licensing authorities to be appointed. It is proposed to provide that the four metropolitan licensing authorities under the Transport Act which already own or control the public passenger services in their districts will act as licensing authorities for taxis. As regards taxi services outside the metropolitan districts, the committee felt that, in view of the fact that the existing licensing authorities were fuliy occupied with their present duties, they would not he able to cope with the licensing of taxis. The existing licensing authorities have_ made such good progress recently with their present licensing work that I am inclined to think they would be able to cope with the work involved in dealing with taxis, and it is proposed to adopt this course.

Recommendation No. 3: That the taxi business be given a reasonable time (say 18 months) in which to iim prove its internal organisation, and if satisfactory improvements are not effected in that time, the Post and

Telegraph Department take over the operation of the telephone systems in the four main cities, and that the licensing authorities take steps to organise one association to control the internal organisation of the business in the principal towns. This recommendation does not call for immediate action, and it is possible that it may be found that the metropolitan licensing authorities might be able to undertake the operation of a unified telephone system in the four main centres. Recommendation No. 4: That legislation be introduced to provide for the registration of insurance agents dealing with comprehensive motor vehicle insurance and the fixation of commissions. There appears to be no justification for some of the very high rates of commission in existence.

Recommendation No. 5; _ That legislation be introduced requiring the real rate of interest charged under hirepurchase agreements affecting the purchase of cars for use as taxis and trucks for town carriers to be disclosed in such agreements.

In-view of the fact that many purchasers of motor vehicles are not aware of the relatively high rates of “ real ” interest charged under hire purchase agreements, I think it essential that the public should be mqde aware of the true facts.

Recommendation No. 6.—That the Transport Department keep a careful check on matters concerning the terms of purchase of vehicles, and that, if deemed necessary, legislative action be taken for a reduction in interest charges. I have instructed the Commisioner of Transport to keep a careful check on rates of interest charged under hire purchase agreements in the cases both of taxis and of town carriers with the object of reporting as to the desirability of legislative action to reduce interest charges, if this course is found to be necessary.