WHO SHALL DECIDE?

Wairarapa Age, 17 March 1925, Page 5

WHO SHALL DECIDE?

ON TAXI DRIVERS’ LICENSER.

POLICE OR COUNCIL.

The vexed question 'of the issuing of licenses, especially to taxi-driven, was considered by the Borough Council last evening. Cr. T. Jordan moved, to rescind a previous motion agreeing to determine licenses on the report of the police. He referred to the Works Committee’s report which stated that a petition signed by G. Watson and seven other taxi-pn>prietors had been received applying for the removal of a tari-driver named Habib, who occupied a position on the Church street stand. Messrs J. O. Pinhey and J. Teasdale had waited in support of the petition. The committee expressed sympathy with the request, but regretted that they could take no action.

Ct. Jordan, in moving his resolution, said the standing resolution prevented them from taking any action in thia' direction, and he considered that the council should be the final judge in the issuing of licenses. He' -wished to restbite that power.

Cr. Kemp, mover of the original motion, said in previous years councillors had been “got at” when cases were being brought before the council

and any recommendations of the committee or the police had always been upset. There had only been one case since his resolution was put into op* eration. There was something more behind this than an objection te Habib.

Cr. Watson: That is only supposition.

Cr. Jordan assured the meeting that there was nothing behind it, and it had nothing to do with the character of drivers. He wished to restore the power to the council of being the final arbiter. The police report would still be given consideration.

The motion was carried on the voices, Crs. Temple and Kemp dissenting. .