WOMAN TAXI-DRIVER

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1940, Page 2

WOMAN TAXI-DRIVER

HUSBAND IN THE ARMY. ROTORUA, August 18. A taxi-driver’s licence has been granted to a woman by the Rotorua Borough Council. Th e applicant explained that her husband, who was at present in England as a member of the Second Echelon, was the owner of the taxi, and had given her power of attorney. She had employed a driver for the taxi, but recently it had become involved in an accident As a result she had decided to drive it herself In order to endeavour to meet certain financial commitments. Sh P had received the approval of the police, and was prepared to operate from a stand, and only at hours considered suitable'. Th e council discussed the matter, the opinion being expressed by some councillors that conditions unsuitable for a woman might be encountered

by the applicant. Others, however, minted out that overseas women were already performing this and many other services usually carried out by men. One councillor paid a tribute to the determination shown by the applicant in being prepared to undertake such work. The application was granted for the duration of the war.