ECHO OF TAXI "WAR."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20961, 26 August 1931, Page 5

ECHO OF TAXI "WAR."

CONTROL OF FLEET ASKED.

MOVE BY THREE COMPANIES.

TRANSPORT BOARD APPROACHED A deputation representing three taxi-cab companies waited on the Transport Board yesterday with the request that the board should undertake the control of the taxicabs in the city.

The companies represented were the Checker, Chess and Blue Taxi, for which Messrs. P. Free, T. R. Lewis and Ev C. Johnston appeared respectively.

"Where are the Black and Whites asked Mr. G. Grey Campbell when the deputation had been introduced.

"We are here because the Black and Whites are not here," said Mr. Free. "There has been precipitated another unfortunate aspect to an already unfortunate 'war'," he added. Limitation of Cabs. Suggested.

It was not possible to operate the taxis profitably even at the rates ruling before the Black and Whites cut J,he fares. The deputation desired some measure of assistance in having the position stabilised. A limitation of the number of taxis plying in a given area would be of assistance. It was also desired in the interests both of the public, and the taxi owners that maximum and minimum ra,tes should be fixed. The_ time had come, continued Mr. Free, when some measure of control, either by the board or through other means, was imperative.

Messrs. Lewis and Johnston spoke briefly in agreement with Mr. Free. Mr. Johnston commented that the City Council did not appear to be able to control the taxis.

The chairman, Mr. J. A, C. Allum, pointed out that the City Council did not control, but simply licensed the cabs.

Mr. Free, in reply to Mr. Grey Campbell, said the deputation represented more than 200 organised taxis. In all, about 370 cabs were licensed in Auckland. Drivers Asleep in Vehicles. Mr. Johnston mentioned that he had been told by "a Black and White advocate" that the cut-rate "war" had been deliberately precipitated by that company in order to force the Transport Board to make some move toward the control of the taxi fleet. In answer to Mr. W. H. Nagle, the deputation expressed the emphatic view that it was impossible for drivers to enjoy decent living conditions under the new rates. They worked such long hours in- order to make expenses and a bare j living that the safety of passengers was endangered. On numerous occasions drivers had to work 18 hours a day and frequently slept in their cars. Sometimes they might be observed asleep while waiting for the early expresses from Wellington at the station. Committee Sei Up to Report. Mr. E. H. Potter commented that the deputation was running a decided risk in asking that its services be controlled. "The board" might say that you are competing authorities," said Mr. Potter. There was a tendency to eliminate private enterprise altogether and the taxi men ought to be careful. Mr. Johnston said it was not possible to compete with the trams, as the taxidrivers were forbidden to collect small sums from each of their passengers in order to make up the aggregate fare for all.

The board, went into conumttes on the question and after-lengthy discussion reported that a sub-committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs. Nagle, H. Morton and Grey Campbell would con. sider the representations of the deputation and report.