TAXI FLEET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20768, 1 July 1937, Page 8

TAXI FLEET

INCREASE PROPOSED IN AUCKLAND A VIGOROUS PROTEST By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. June 30. Taxi interests in Auckland decided, at a joint meeting of the Atta and Checker Taxi Companies, to protest against the decision of the Auckland City Council to grant licences to increase the city’s fleet to 300 cars. At present there are 286 cars on the road, and it is proposed to grant 14 additional licences. The existing by-law fixes the number of licences at 266. A statement issued after the meeting points out that the taxi-men are alarmed at the Council's departure from the recognised principle of sound taxi administration in extending licences beyond the accepted economic number. The result of such action is expected to increase the difficulties existing under the present fare schedule. Moreover, the decision is held to be strictly opposed to the declared policy of the Council to improve the workers’ conditions. The taxi-men claim that the proposal is unjustifiable and has been taken without consideration being given to the true position of the taxi industry. They further protest that the Council acted without full consultation with the parties concerned who assert that they could have enlightened the Council on the fallacy of its proposal to solve the taxi problems believed by the Council to exist by the addition of licences. “An increase in the number of cabs," the statement explains, “will mean that for 23 hours of the day drivers of new taxi-cabs will be seriously interfering with the work of the present men. At present, except at peak periods, there is a shortage of work and extra cabs will Involve longer working hours for all concerned. The result, therefore, will be equivalent to a cut in taxi drivers' wages and the Council, without knowledge or means of correctly assessing the effect of its action, i 3 clearly adopting an 111-considered and un-Labourlike attitude.”