SOLDIERS AND TAXI STANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17275, 26 September 1919, Page 9

SOLDIERS AND TAXI STANDS.

Sir,A paragraph in Wednesday's Herald stated that the executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association had been informed that some returned soldiers had been refused membership of the Taxi Owners' Association, and this debarred them from the use of the telephones. As president of the Auckland Taxi Owners' Association, I desire to make the .statement that the information supplied to the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association is incorrect. The Taxi Owners' Association admits unconditionally all returned soldiers who before going on service ■were on the Auckland taxi rank?. It also admit*, returned soldiers who are just starting the taxi business for the first time and other applicants, providing they use the telephones on Quay Street. Newton Road, and Karangahape Road taxi ranks. Owing to the number of taxis on the Customs Street. Victoria Street, and Welleeley Street ranks greatly exceeding the number of cars for which those ranks are licensed the association ha.s had to suspend use of the telephones on these ranks to new applicants meanwhile. The City Council has been approached on several occasions with regard to the congestion on taxi ranks, and a deputation waited upon the council last week regarding the matter. No doubt a solution will be found by opening new ranks in central positions to which new applicants will be directed. It seems to me that the Returned Soldiers' Association has overstenDed the mark in suggesting that reputable taxi owners (who have been in business on the Customs Street East taxi rank for the past 12 years, all of whom were liable for service, and only failed to get away through some physical disability) should be cleared out. and the rank restricted to returned soldiers. W. Briscoe, President.