GRIEVANCES OF TAXI-MEN

Southland Times, Issue 23735, 6 February 1939, Page 6

GRIEVANCES OF TAXI-MEN

BOYCOTT OF LINER AT AUCKLAND CONFERENCE WITH LOCAL BODIES < (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 3. I Because of a disagreement over the handling of passengers landing from the Orient Liner Oronsay at the western wharf this morning, about 70 taxi drivers waiting for fares left the wharf in a body and refused to accept an business from the ship to the city. A boycott of all passenger ships arriving at the port .was threatened by the men if a number of alleged grievances involving the Transport and Tourist Departments and the Auckland Harbour Board was not removed, but the entire dispute was settled amicably in the afternoon as a result of conferences with representatives of the bodies concerned. A general meeting of drivers of the two major companies and of private operators was held in the Druids’ Hall shortly after noon, when it was resolved that all passenger ships visiting the port would be. boycotted until the drivers’ grievances about the handling of passengers were settled. In the meantime a number of tourists who were unable to secure transport had to set off on a mile walk to the city. Their total was swelled considerably when the Auckland section of about 140 through passengers from London passed through the Customs at 10 o’clock. . 1 Unaware of the position, many passengers were strongly critical at the arrangements made for the handling of travellers at the port. Their feelings were not improved when, walking along the western viaduct they had to pass motor lorries unloading decayed fish into a refuse vessel. Conferences in the afternoon between a deputation appointed at the taxi drivers’ meeting and the authorities involved were successful in eliminating the men’s grievances. The deputation first met the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr E. J. Phelan). The district manager of the Tourist Department (Mr J. W. Clarke) was also present. A meeting was later held with the superintendent of the Auckland Harbour Board (Mr D. Holderness) and the board’s traffic manager (Mr W. R. Golden). As a result of the conference, the taxi drivers will be given every facility towards obtaining passengers for trips within the scope of their licences as soon as the passengers have been passed by the health and Customs authorities.

Following the conferences, representatives of the taxi drivers expressed appreciation at the manner in which they had been received.