TAXI TRADE CONTROL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19126, 22 September 1936, Page 9

TAXI TRADE CONTROL

INQUIRY CONTINUED COMPANY SUGG ESTION CITY OWNER-DRIVERS ;per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. The national inquiry into the taxi and carrying business tor the purpose ot securing' better organisation, regulation and control was continued this afternoon by the committee, consisting of Messrs. 1». Ai. Buffer as chairman, and J. V\alktJanies L. Hagan, taxi proprietor, said that buses were competing with taxis, and fares should be increased to- enable drivers to be paid a weekly wage. The. taxi business to-day was “lan: game” for retired civil servants and tramway employees, who also drew superannuation. He thought a co-opetative concern would result in an ideal system. The individual taxi proprietor had no chance against companies. He was of the opinion that the compulsory insurance premium of £6 for third party risk should be reduced 1 . Insurance companies were having a good time at the expense of taxi proprietors, as claims for accident compensation were rare. The experience of taxi drivers under the City Council had not been a happy one. The council bad given preferential treatment to companies. AVERAGE 92 HOURS A WEEK Evidence was given by Cyril Bartlett, commission driver, in the Grey Cabs Company, that he worked for a long

time at an average of 92 hquits a week spread over 14 hours a day. His earnings averaged £3 5s a week. Black anc| White calls were not responsible for the original cutting of fares. This was instituted by Gold' Band taxis, this firm later lieing taken ever hv Grey Cabs, which had 1 come to Wellington.' from Auckland in retaliation to Black and White’s invasion of the Auckland field. Black and Whites could have scooped the pool in Wellington bmt for the stupidity of some of its directors, who knew, nothing of the taxi business. The witness proposed a scheme for the formation of a company «br co-operative concern, Which would take over all the cars now operated by owner-drivers. The company would issue scrip to each owner to the value of his car. In the event of money being owed to a motor firm the company would pay it. This would take the financial burden off the shoulders of the men. NO LEVY UNDER, PLAN There would be no levy on the men, who would be paid fair wages for reasonable hours. Any man dismissed would receive his shares back. No scrip would be issued to the. public. No driver would be responsible for anything but the takings of his car. The scheme would make for efficiency and economy. It would be a monopoly, but would be regulated by the Transport Department. George Edward Higgins, chairman of the executive of Diamond Cabs, said the fares now fixed by the Wellington City Council were fair to both taxis and the public. Patrick L. Fitzgerald, manager of a small company, Yellow Cabs, agreed that an oxtra sixpence should he charged for the first mile. The inquiry will lie continued to-mor-row.