TAXI LICENSES

Evening Star, Issue 24466, 30 March 1943, Page 2

TAXI LICENSES

[ LICENSING AUTHORITY'S POLICY R.S.A. SEEKS ENLIGHTENMENT The action of the Metropolitan Licensing Authority in recently refusing an * owner-driver taxi license to a returned soldier was the subject of lengthy discussiou 'by the executive of the Dunedin Returned Services' Association last night, the president (Mr S. G. Sooular) being in the chair. The greater part of the discussion was taken in committee, when Mr W. E. Earnshaw reported upon a meeting between a deputation frpm the executive and the secretary of the Licensing Committee. The ' vice-president (Mr C. R. McLean), in presenting a motion to the meeting calling upon the authority to define its policy; said some statement from the latter body would help to allay public uneasiness. The motion originally tabled by' Mr McLean was debated at length, and finally set out in a series of questions and passed, to be. submitted to the Licensing Authority in the following form : " That the Dunedin Metropolitan Licensing Authority be requested to make a pulblic statement: (a) As to its policy in dealing with applications from ex-servicemen for taxi licenses, and as to any restrictions or instructions that affect its policy, (b) As to the disposal of licenses previously held toy men in the forces who may not return, and that iu the event of any of these licenses lapsing owing to death or incapacity of the original'holder, these be held for reissue to men returniwg from this war. (c) That, as far as we can gather at present, the onlv way a returned soldier can secure a license is by purchase. Does the Licensing Authority exercise anr control over the price paid for such license? Are the licenses of men overseas which are being reissued temporarily available for returned men temporarily? How many of the existing licenses are lying dormant or not being fully used? (d) And that it be requested also to forward a copy of its statement to this executive." Several speakers stressed that this information was desired in conformity with the association's stated policy that ex-servicemen must be given preference in, all respects and in all avenues of employment.