AWARD RESTRICTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1930, Page 13

AWARD RESTRICTIONS

EMPLOYERS OPPRESSED FRANK STATEMENTS TO COURT. TROUBLES OF TAXI BUSINESS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. That changing conditions have mad# it impossible for employers of taxi drivers to continue in business under the terms of the present award, was the contention of Mr. W. Hayward, pro* prietor of the Rink Taxis, in applying to the Arbitration Court to-day fof either exclusion from the provisions of the award, or the bringing in of a skeleton award. After hearing evidence, the court suggested a conference of the interested parties and the submission of a scheme approved by all. Failing this, the court will give its reserved decision. Mr. Hayward said that six-sevenths of the Christchurch taxis were free of award restrictions, being either operated on a share or hire system, or by owner-drivers. The other seventh were being run under award conditions, and he had found this impossible. He declared that share drivers worked such long hours that they were often unsafe as drivers.

Evidence was given by several drivers under the share and hire systems, oj low earnings for long hours, from 16 t<J 18 hours a day for from £3 to £1 5Sa week.