TAXI SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22463, 6 July 1936, Page 11

TAXI SERVICES

STATE OF INDUSTRY "AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE'" COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE NEW TRANSPORT REGULATIONS " In my opinion the taxi industry in this country has been abused by certain individuals, a. state of affairs existing which is an absolute disgrace," said the Minister of Transport,, the Hon. R. Semple, yesterday, when announcing that it was proposed to appoint a commission shortly to investigate taxi services. He also said the new transport regulations under recent legislation would be gazetted probably this week. The Minister said taxi-drivers in Wellington had waited upon him with a request for a commission of inquiry. There was no question that in Wellington conditions were disgraceful, there being men existing in a state that was nothing else but slavery. Some drivers worked all night for £1 a week and had to depend on sustenance to support their families. The conditions in Wellington applied in more or less degree to other cities and towns. Remedy to be Found

" The situation of some so-called owner-drivers is a scandal," added the Minister. " They do not own a spoke in a wheel. The commission will inves-

tigate the whole services generally, inquiring into wages, charges, hours, sweating, piracy and size of fleets. When it has ascertained the facts, the Government -will apply the remedy. It will aim at something in the way of uniform charges, so that decent services will be provided for decent men. "We will act in the interests of

the legitimate taxi-owners, an well as the men employed. Bad services lead to deterioration of the men in them, and we do not want an underworld to . develop in New Zealand such as develops in other countries where men are driven by economic circumstances to do all sorts of contemptible things." The Minister referred to the power the Government had in the new transport legislation to deal with taxis. Transport Regulations Speaking generally on the question of transport, he said he had had a conference with the four recentlyappointed licensing authorities and discussed with them principles contained in the Act under which they would work. The draft regulations had originally been sent out to all transport organisations and, except for a few minor alterations, had been unanimously approved. These organisations had been very helpful and it was gratifying to know that the attempt to lift the transport question from chaos had been given such whole-hearted support both in the country and the Legislature.