GAOL CHOSEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22917, 21 December 1937, Page 18

GAOL CHOSEN

TAXI-DRIVEKS' CASE r ■ APPEAL TO MINISTER SEQUEL TO PROSECUTIONS A sequel to the prosecution last week of several Auckland taxi-drivers, who were charged with conducting unlicensed passenger services when the tourist ship Strathmore was in Auckland in November, was provided yesterday, when a statement was issued by five of the men who have elected to serve prison sentences rather than pay the fines imposed. When they appeared before Mr. C. R. Orr "Walker, S.M., the drivers were fined £5 each, with costs. "We wish to state that we have now the honour of emulating the example of our worthy Minister of Transport, the Hon. 11. Semple," the statement explains. "He had the courage of his convictions, went to gaol for them, and is proud of it. Wo intend to do the same and fellow our master's footsteps."

j: Oannot Aflord to Pay Pine" In the statement the men say that the fines were imposed for "an honest endeavour to earn a livelihood by taking overseas visitors to see what they wish in 'God's Own Country'—not on our part for wilful breach of the law made by C)rder-in-Council overnight. There is not one of us who can afford to pay the fine, owing to the persistent • dictatorial persecution we have had meted out to us durine the past two vears. "Yet again, there is not one of us who can afford to turn down absolutely legitimate business (for which wo have been specialising for years) because our No. 1 Licensing Authority decides to give the business exclusively to a chosen few." Telegram From Minister

It was also claimed that there was nothing in the Act to say who was to be granted a licence, and who was not. The men claim that, as ownerdrivers, they took a personal interest in their passengers. The men received a telegram yesterday morning from the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, stating that he had been advised that 16 vehicles were already licensed under the Transport Act for tourist traffic and that if additional cars were required further licences would be issued. The appeal could not be determined until he had heard submissions from all the parties interested, and if formal appeal were lodged, with the prescribed fee, it would determine the position for future occasions. Some Men Given Time to Pay Mr. A. R. de Balfour, manager of the International Bureau, who was fined £lO, with costs, for counselling and procuring breaches of the regulations, left for Wellington last night and will place the matter before the Minister to-day. He stated that a promise had been made that temporary licences would be granted to the international Tourist Bureau for all its cars, as it had been explained that the drivers concerned were under contract to the bureau. He did not attach any blame to the Minister, to whom he intended to present the facts of the whole affair. Mr. de Balfour added that those of the men who had asked for time to pay had been granted until January 15! Otherwise the men would be liable to the penalty of default 48 hours after the imposition of the fines j and powers for the execution of a war-1 rant would be contained in the Jus-1 tice of the Peace Act. , , The five drivers who signed the statement were: —Messrs. L. ftavys, F. Laver, H. Chambers. W. H. G. Woods - and V. Sefont.