NO AGREEMENT REACHED

Southland Times, Issue 23739, 10 February 1939, Page 7

NO AGREEMENT REACHED

TAXI DRIVERS SEEK AWARD UNIFORM CONTROL NOT . YET POSSIBLE (United Press WELLINGTON, February 9. A request that the legislation .promised this Session by the Minister _of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) giving uniform control to the taxi industry should come into force immediately it was passed was placed before the Minister today by a deputation from the Conciliation Council dealing with the Dominion taxi drivers’ dispute. , On the resumption of proceedings it was reported that the Minister had said that taxi licences would be granted in June and, as the legislation would not be down before then, it would be impossible for the new regulations to come into effect before 1940. He wanted the parties to come to terms about the award. He could not see at present how to get over the problem of licences being issued by local bodies in ’June. He did not intend to charge them again for licences under theznew legislation. Mr H. J. Knight, for the employers, said the award would be of little use unless the whole industry was covered. Mr F. C. Allerby, for the employees, said the men definitely wanted an award and, if necessary, would take the matter to Court. They were working under intolerable conditions and a break was coming. The hearing was adjourned to enable the parties to consider their respective proposals. When the hearing of the dispute was resumed, an offer by the employers was declined by the union. It was finally agreed to adjourn the dispute and await legislative developments. '