PRIVATE TAXIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23261, 24 July 1945, Page 5

PRIVATE TAXIS

A Direction Order Exception Taken (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND. July 23. Strong exception to the direction of the Auckland Taxi-cab Control Committee requiring private taxis to operate under the roster system was taken by a number of private hire licensees who appealed to the Auckland Metropolitan Licensing Authority to have the direction rescinded. The direction was made in pursuance of the Transport Control Emergency Regulations, 1942. “It is considered this is an effort on the part of the Control Comm.iltec to circumvent the policy of this Authority,” said Mr Wallace, who appeared on behalf of Johnston Blue Motors. Ltd. It meant that private taxi-cab owners would be under the same system controlling public taxis, and this would interfere with their business as they could not be operated day ana night. Private taxi proprietors had been denied an opportunity of making representations to the Control Committee on the matter. Owing Io the considerable discrepancy between the fares charged by private and public taxis there would be endless confusion and discontent on the part of the public. Representing five private taxi owners. Mr Heigh said it was never envisaged that the regulations under which the direction was made should be used to control private taxis, and that the powers of t he commute? wore confined to public taxis. The roster would operate from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.. but, lie understood Iho demand lor taxis from 1 a.m. onward was small. Mr Hubble, who appeared on behalf of an Onchunga operator, said ho endorsed the remarks of other com sel. The. direction was a “brain-wave" ol 111? Control Committee after it. had failed tn gain control of private taxis by seeking amendments to the I'lm.and conditions under which licences were issued. Private taxi proprietors had been given do prior opportunity Decision was reservi'd.