TAXI INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23591, 27 February 1940, Page 4

TAXI INDUSTRY

REORGANISATION PLAN 1" ' PROPOSAL BY AUTHORITY 4 GRANTING OF LICENCES The taxi industry in Auckland is. to Tie given until May. 1 to formulate a snore efficient scheme of operation, failing which the Auckland Metropolitan Licensing Authority will take steps to introduce a satisfactory plan. Tin's announcement was made yesterday, "when the authority made known its findings in regard to the various applications for taxicab licences which have been heard during the past three months. All applications before the authority Vere granted, these comprising 297 for public taxicab licences and approximately 50 for private hire licences for cars in several categories. In all cases the licences are to be for three years, and the fares are to he those at present provided by the Auckland City Council by-laws, the authority having assumed jihe duty of licensing taxicabs from the council following the passngo of the Transport Law Amendment Act, 1939. The authority has also drawn up various regulations governing the operation of the industry. Duplication and Daad Mileage After announcing the decisions, the (chairman, Mr. W. H. Nagle, submitted for adoption in open meeting a statement containing a number of resolutions dealing yrith the operation of public taxicabs. On being carried, the resolutions were to be referred to public taxicab licensees, he said. "The evidence submitted shows the .authority that the taxicab business in 'Auckland can be and should be organised, in a, moro efficient manner, so as to prevent duplication, waste and dead mileage," said the statement. "The authority proposes to give licensees an opportunity to confer and endeavour to agree among themselves upon a plan of reorganisation and, if substantial unanimity can be secured for such a plan and it appears to be in the public interest, the authority will adopt and implement it. "For the purpose of facilitating such a, conference, the authority will convene a meeting of licensees as early as practicable. Failing the adoption of a satisfactory scheme by licensees by May and unless altered circumstances have arisen, tho authority will take steps to introduce a scheme and to amend all licences so as to require licensees to conform to its provisions." Amendment 3?ejected As an amendment to the section proposing to give licensees an opportunity to formulate a plan of reorganisation among''themselves, Mr. I?. Armstrong moved that such a plan be formulated by the authority. The amendment was seconded pro forma by Mr. J. Sayegh, but he >and other speakers criticised the proposal on the ground that the authority was not at present in a position to tell taxi drivers how to run their 'own business. The amendment was lost, Mr. Armstrong being the only supporter, and .the series of resolutions was adopted. , In. a further Mr. iNagie ;aid that on the evidence submitted •lie authority was of the opinion that ;he number of taxis now licensed was jimple, if not too many, for the genuine taxi business offering in a city of 'Auckland's population. In those circumstances, good cause must be shown before any increase in the number of taxis' would be approved.