PASSENGER SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23896, 25 August 1939, Page 10

PASSENGER SERVICE

APPLICATION FOR LICENCE RAILWAYS' UNFAIR ATTIUDE CRITICISM BY AUTHORITY (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. “ I think the attitude of the Railways Department in this matter is quite unfair,” said Mr P. Skoglund, No. 2 Licensing Authority, dealing with the application of W. Higgs, of Wellington, for a contract passenger service licence. The applicant said he had given up a taxi business to engage in work for the Tourist Department at the department’s request, and had now been informed that unless he had a transport licence he would not be able to cater for the work of the Tourist Department. Mr Skoglund said he had not granted a transport licence previously because Higgs was operating under a licence from the Wellington City Council, and he (Mr Skoglund) was of the opinion that that licence was sufficient.

Higgs said he had been informed now that he must have a transport licence. The Wellington City Council would not grant him a taxi licence unless he bought out some service.

The Railways Department objected to a transport licence mainly on the ground that there were existing facilities to cope with the work. Mr Skoglund granted Higgs a licence. He said he was not going to lake any man’s livelihood from him. “What happens on an appeal does not concern me one iota,” he said. “ I am here to give a decision conscientiously and one which I think is fair on the evidence.”