TAXI – OWNERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21088, 14 July 1938, Page 12

TAXI - OWNERS

N.Z. FEDERATION Official Recognition By Telegranh WELLINGTON. July 13 A national federation of taxi-owners was founded at a widely representative meeting at Wellington to-day. The objects of new the organisation are to promote the interests of the industry and improve taxi-drivers’ working conditions. Wages and working conditions were discussed, and it was agreed that until there could be effective and uniform regulation of all owners there was little possibility of improving the standard. It was stated that the existing control by local authorities could not insert working conditions in licenses, and in many cases did not consider the economic aspect of the issue of new additional licenses. It was decided to ask the Minister of Transport that legislation to extend transport licensing control to taxis be introduced during the present session of Parliament, and that such control should impose uniform mniimum conditions on all engaged in the industry. It was also resolved to offer every possible support to the Road Safety Council with the object of reducing accidents. There was general agreement that the existing number of taxis licensed in various towns was adequate. A suggestion was made that during the Centennial Exhibition, instead of the issue of a number of new licenses which would be surplus after the Exhibition, taxis should be temporarily drafted into Wellington from other towns. The high rate of insurance on taxis was felt by many to be an imposition without proper regard to all circumstances, and substantial reductions were expected with the lowering of the accident rate. The following council was elected:— Chairman, Mr A. Sinclair (Auckland), Hon. W. Hayward (Christchurch), Messrs F. I. Drumm (Auckland). H Deverell (Hamilton). G. Gibson (New Plymouth), A. C. Davidson (Napier), S. I. McKenzie (Palmerston North). W. E. Yewen (Pahiatua), V. J. Leek (Wellington). F. J. Carroll (Christchurch). Representatvies of Dunedin will be added on the formation of a branch there. Mr H. J. Knight. Wellington, was appointed secretary. The executive officers later waited on the Minister of Transport and placed the views and recommendations of the conference before him. Mr Semple expressed pleasure at the helpful attitude of the Federation and commended those responsible for the organisation whcili, he said, was very necessary. He also promised that the organisation would be recognised as representing the industry, and the Government would confer with the organisation on all questions affecting its members.