TAXI INQUIRY

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 8

TAXI INQUIRY

DUNEDIN SITTING TO-MORROW COMMITTEE ASKS FOR CO-OPERATION The Committee of Inquiry into ’ the conduct of the taxi and town carrier businesses will commence its sittings in the Town Hall Council Chambers tomorrow, at 10.30 a.m. The committee consists of Mr P. M. Butler, chairman (Wellington),'Mr James Walker (Masterton), and Mr H. B. Smith, Transport Department (Wellington). The order of reference is comprehensive, and enables the committee to efficiently deal with working conditions and the coordination of these businesses with other forms of transport. The order of reference is set out as follows:—“To make inquiries into the businesses of the carriage for hire of goods or persons in motor vehicles (jncluding town carriers’ vehicles and motor cabs) by persons not licensed under the Transport Licensing Act, 1931; and with a view to improving the general efficiency to the public of such businesses and promoting their co-ordi-nation with other forms of transport and improving the working conditions of the persons engaged in such businesses; to consider and report what measures, if any, should be adopted for their improvement, co-ordination, and development, and their better regulation and control, and matters incidental thereto.” * The committee has drafted certain questionnaires which have been forwarded to owners, owner-drivers, and employees. These must be completed within seven days. This will be in addition to the statements and evidence tendered before the committee. In setting up the committee, the Government, through the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple), was particularly anxious that all interested parties should have an opportunity of placing their representations before it. The chairman of the committee told a reporter to-day that the, committee had secured useful evidence'and assistance from operators, owner-drivers, employees, and local body representatives in 'Christchurch and Wellington, and it was anticipated that, those interested in Dunedin would also take advantage ot the hearing to place before the committee their views on various problems. As there were several local bodies concerned in Dunedin and locality, every opportunity would be given such authorities to have representation at the sittings..