TAXI HOLD-UP AT WHARF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 8

TAXI HOLD-UP AT WHARF

BOYCOTT OF SHIP'S PASSENGERS TAXIMEN DRIVE AWAY. DISPUTE SETTLED LATER. [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 3. Because of a disagreement over the handling of pasengers landing from the Orient liner Oronsay at Western wharf this morning, about 70 taxi drivers waiting for fares left the wharf in a body and refused lo accept any business from the ship to the city. A boycott of all passenger ships arriving at the port was threatened by the men if a number of alleged grievances involving the Transport and Tourist Departments and the Auckland Harbour Board were not removed but the entire dispute was settled amicably in the afternoon as a result of conferences with representatives of the bodies concerned. The. Oronsay berthed shortly after 8 o’clock, but for a considerable period beforehand taxis began to assemble. On the wharf at the ship’s berth were about 15 parlour coaches waiting to take cruise passengers on overland tours arranged by the Government Tourist Department. Three sight-seeing buses owned by a private company were also on the ; wharf. Cruise passengers who are not required to pass through the customs began to embark at 9.5 a.m. and taxi drivers maintained that they should then have been admitted to the wharf to cater for any tourists who were not leaving on overland trips but who desired local transport. They were unable to gain admittance and were particularly grieVed at the fact that private sightseeing buses, doing similar local trips, were able to fill up with passengers after

about 20 minutes. The men held an informal meeting at which they decided to boycott the ship. All then drove away, pickets being placed on the road to prevent other drivers handling the traffic from the wharf. In the meantime a number of tourists, unable to secure transport, had to set off on a mile walk to the city. Their total was swelled considerably when an Auckland section of about 140 through passengers from London passed through the customs at 10 o'clock. Unaware of the position, mamy passengers were strongly critical of the arrangements' made for handling travellers at the port. Their feeling were not improved when, walking along the western viaduct, they had to pass motor lorries unloading decayed fish ittto a refuse vessel.