CONTROL OF TAXIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20731, 19 May 1937, Page 6

CONTROL OF TAXIS

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, May 18. In spite of the recent recomemndation by the special committee of investigation that the licensing of taxis in Auckland be vested in the Auckland Transport Board, the gener supervision of taxi services will still be carried out by the city council. This was made clear by the Minister Gf I Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, in his replies to deputations from the city' council and taxi companies. “I have given no indication that we intend to confirm the report in all its details,” Mr Semple said. “For one thing, I am definitely opposed to the control of telephone systems by the Post and Telegraph Department. The only thing that concerns me is the proper running of the service. I have discussed the matter with the departmental officers and realise that it would be fatal to have divided control. If we are going to invest authority in city councils in other cities we should not discriminate against Auckland. The council has the organisation to do the job and that is what counts. I am not prepared to take control of taxis away from the council and hand it to the Transport Board.” The Minister repeated his assurance that the City Council would remain the licensing authority for taxis when a deputation waited on him, subsequently representing two large taxi companies in Auckland. It was the duty of taxi interests to co-operate with the council in an effort to attain the requisite degree of efficiency.