THE PETROL TAX.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1104, 18 April 1911, Page 5

THE PETROL TAX.

DRIVERS THREATEN TO STRIKE. DEMAND FOR DAILY WAGES. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright London, April 16. A meeting of taxi-cab drivers protested against the proprietors seeking, by an increase iu fares, to pass on the petrol tax. Tho drivers threaten to etriko if action is taken before the Government investigation is completed. Tliey also demand daily wages iu lieu of a percentage of the takings.

THE LONDON TAXI. One provision of tho Budget of 1910 was a tax on petrol, used for motorcars. In certain cases a rebate is made to the consumers. Motor-taxi companies in I-ondon own, in some cases, thousands of taxis, which they hire out to drivers on a percentage basis.' The taximeter prevents the men obtaining more than their share of the takings, but it is a universal custom in all cities of England to hand the driver an additional two pence for himself over and above any fare, irrespective ol' the amount or distance. To refuse a driver his twonence would, in the eyes of everyone within hearing of tho ready invective of which the man would relieve himself, be regarded as equivalent to breaking any of the most sacred laws of Britain. Recently an assault case in which a fashionable actress was concerned, resulted from a refusal to recognise the custom. The fare charged for taxicabs is lOd. per mile, with an additional twopence for every quarter of a mile. Each taxi-driver, before he obtains his license at Scotland Yard, has to pass an examination on tho localities of London. Recently tho number of these vehicles has, enormously increased/, and'.mo doubt the demand for wages, in lieu of the percentage of takings, is because of the decreased earnings with the increased competition. A quaint sight at motor-ta.xi "stands" in London is to bo found in tho custom of vagrants, and others in search of a copper, to fill up the gaps left when' a taxi is engaged, by pushing the vehicles along! Even these men sometimes have their dilapidated underlings.