TAXI-OWNERS' PROTEST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19128, 24 September 1936, Page 15

TAXI-OWNERS' PROTEST

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY

CARRYING OF WHISKY

WELLINGTON DENIAL

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

A-protest against certain statements regarding the sale of whisky by taxidrivers was made by Mr. Stobart on behalf of taxi-owner's at the taxi ami carrying inquiry to-day. Owners in Wellington, he said, dissociated themselves from the statement by Mr. Ban let t. They_ would not tolerate such business, said Mr. Stobart. The Wellington taxi-owners prided themselves on being straigl and honest in their dealings, and he asked that a protest do noted. The chairman, Mr. P. M. Butler, said that there appeared to t>o some misunderstanding. Mr. Bartlett's evidence was given on oath, and ther was an opportunity to cross-examine him. The committee's impression was that Mr. Bartlett wished to draw attention to the fact that, owing to the .chaotic conditions existing in the industry, men were forced sometimes to undertake the jobs he mentioned. The chairman said he thought, that too much had 'been made of that side of the business. Mr. Bartlett had merely described the legitimate and an illegitimate side of the business.

Mr. Stobart also said it was the opinion of many owners that a taxiowner should sit with the committee. The chairman: That is a matter for the Government.

During subsequent proceedings, the chairman mentioned that the committee proposed issuing a questionnaire containing three points, one for consideration by companies, one for ownerdrivers, and one for drivers on commission. The evidence is proceeding.