CONTROL OF TAXIS.

Wairarapa Age, 22 December 1932, Page 3

CONTROL OF TAXIS.

CRITICISM OF RECENT LEGISLATION. MINISTER AND ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS. WELLINGTON, December 21. A new clause in the Municipal Corporations Bill providing for the control of taxi cabs and the limiting of the hours of work of drivers of licensed vehicles was a subject cf discussion at a meeting of the executive- of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day. It was reported that it had been represented to the Minister of Internal Affairs that the proposal was an uneconomic and dangerous restriction of the development of private transport, and it would create a monopoly and deprive tho individual of his rights and liberties in commercial activity. At the same time that power was being sought to control the hours of work of drivers, local bodies already had the power to fix maximum fees, so that pressure was being applied both ways. A letter in reply was read from the Minister, in which he stated that while he appreciated the general principle raised, the conditions which had arisen through the absence of power to control the number of taxi licenses that might be issued by local authorities, and to legulato the hours of taxi drivers, were that action was necessary to prevent certain evils which had arisen, and to provide a greater measure of safety to the public. It was for that reason that it was proposed that power should be given councils to control those matters. Members remarked that the Minister had given no proper explanation of the clause. The public were quite able to look after themselves, and any keen competition would have to run its course. It was decided to ask the Minister to receive further representations on the subject.—(P.A.)