HELPING SERVICEMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22460, 22 September 1944, Page 2

HELPING SERVICEMEN

APPEAL TO TAXI OPERATORS AVAILABLE LICENSES “I sincerely suggest to all licensed operators with more than one taxi license to determine if they can possibly spare one of their licenses to hand it to the Authority for re-issue to a returned serviceman,” said the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr E. J. Phelan, at a Hamilton sitting yesterday after hearing applications for new licenses to operate at Kihikihi, Te Awamutu and Cambridge. “In certain places there is probably not room for new licenses, owing particularly to the shortage of petrol; but this Authority desires to give preference to men with war disabilities, even if we have to stand down men who are physically fit. The taxi business is very suitable for partially-disabled men. Operators owe a duty to servicemen, and they should help them if they can.” Objection was lodged by two operators (with a total of nine licenses) at Te Awamutu, who considered there was no room for an operator at Kihikihi, which they held was already well served with buses plying from Arohena, Ngaroma-Wharepu-hunga and Arapuni to Te Awamutu, and by through services from the south to Hamilton, while a frequent bus service plied from Tokanui and Kihikihi to Te Awamutu. Support For Application

The Cambridge application was supported by the Borough Council, the Chamber of Commerce and by an established operator, who declared that the existing operators were fully employed. There had been no increase in licenses for several years, and Cambridge taxis plied at least 10,000 more miles in a year than did the average taxi stationed at Morrinsville, or Te Awamutu. Another taxi operator objected, but added that if the Authority granted the application he believed all the onerators would co-operate with the newcomer. \ The Authority granted the Cam- ' bridge application and deferred decision in respect of the Kihikihi and Te Awamutu applications.