TAXI INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 23335, 3 August 1939, Page 7

TAXI INDUSTRY

TRANSPORT CONTROL WANTED BY PROPRIETORS COUNCIL HAS POWER TO ACT IHGOSE IN FARES ESSENTIAL The increase in the price of petrol promises to produce chaotic conditions iu the taxi business in the city, is the opinion of the Otago. Taxi Proprietors’ Association, and at a meeting held yesterday afternoon of the council of the association a motion was passed that tho secretary bo instructed to write to the Dunedin City Council enclosing a copy of a letter from the Minister of Transport (Hon. 11. Semnle), and also to point out the difficulties of the present conditions and to ask for transport control. The General Committee of the Association in May last deliberated on the matter and then decided that no action should he taken in view of the fact that it was understood the Government was introducing legislation governing the matter during the now current session of Parliament. The letter from the Minister referred to was as follows: — “ It is my hope that transport legislation; will be introduced during the present session of Parliament, and that provision will be included in it so that all taxi cabs and town carriers will he brought, under the licensing provisions of the above Act. However, even if this is done, the machinery of control wilt not be operative until June, 1940, and in several districts arrangements have been made under the existing powers in the legislation for the taxi cabs in the district to be brought under the Act. The towns where this has been arranged are Christchurch, Hamilton, Taumarunui, and Thames. It is necessary for the latter purpose that a 1 warrant be issued by me in terms_ of section 16 of the Transport Licensing Amendment Act, 1936, and as a matter of policy I consider it desirable that all interested parties should be agreeable to the issue of such a warrant before such action is taken. “ I gather from your letter that the taxi cab proprietors in Dunedin would be agreeable to this action, and if the Dunedin City Council is also agreeable to it, I shall have pleasure in arranging for the necessary steps to be taken. It.is suggested that you get into touch with the Dunedin City Council for the purpose of obtaining its views.” There had been no increase in taxi fares since 1931, said Mr W. V, Keropthorne, the association secretary, to the ‘ Star,’ and the latest increase in petrol now brought matters to a head. Far from there having been an increase in fares, the actual position was a decrease had been registered, not so much in the amounts charged, but rather in concessions as to luggage charges, overloading, and extension of boundaries. “ During the Interval,he said, “ there have been several increases in the price of petrol, tyres,, spare parts, and the cost of repairs. Over and above this, the current registration and thirdparty" insurance has been increased 25 per cent.; and the carrying capacity on the latest- licenses has been reduced from five toj four. This increase in the price of petrol may be described as the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The position is now such that the extra charge has of necessity to be passed on to the public—there is no other alternative—and it is hoped that the general public will realise that a small increase in the fares is absolutely necessary under the circumstances. No business can be carried on indefinitely at a loss. In view of the fact that the legislation that is promised will not be effective until the middle of 1940, the introduction of transport control as exercised in certain towns in the north is the easiest method for the orderly .control in the interval, and this has now been put before the council for further consideration.”

Immediate action was imperative in the interests of the industry, said the Secretary;