TAXI SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 9

TAXI SERVICES

DOIITTEE OF INQUIRY ARGUMENT AGAINST INCREASED FARES The Committee of Inquiry into the conduct of tho taxi and_ town carrier businesses resumed its sittings in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall this morning. The members of tho committee are Messrs P. M. Butler (Wellington), chairman, James Walker (Masterton), and H. B. Smith (Transport Department, Wellington). This morning Mr A. G. Hunt, ot tho Rosilyn Taxis, who gave evidence yesterday afternoon, was questioned. He suggested that there should be a charge for the carriage of luggage. As a means of putting into effect a scheme for limiting the number of taxis, the witness suggested that depots might be established in certain districts. If it were found that business warranted it in any one district the fleet of that depot could be increased. In answer to the chairman the witness said that if any standardisation were made in the type of cars used as taxis it would need to provide for an attractive design. To Mr Smith: He would agree that there was not altogether a general observance of the by-law fares in Dunedin. There was a considerable amount of price-cutting. The company’s taxis were not inspected by the civic authorities. He would not say there were too many taxis in Dunedin for a rush period. At normal times he would say Dunedin was well provided with taxis. Mr O. L. Stevens appeared on behalf of the Ace, Kiwi, Blue Star, Kia Ora, and Silver Band Taxis, and called Roy Patrick Steel to give evidence. Mr Steel said he commenced the Gold Star Taxis in 1931 and introduced a scheme of reduction of fares in Dunedin and the commission, basis of payment to drivers. The company did not become bankrupt. In 1932 he started tho Silver Fern Taxis Ltd. The business was started with three cars and immediately increased to six. Recently the company had 13 cars. The drivers were paid 33 1-3 per cent, commission. The working man gave the company most of its business.

The Chairman: What do you mean by a working man? Witness: The man in tho street—the wage-earner. Tho Chairman; How could you tell whether a man was a wage-earner or a millionaire ?

Witness: Easily tell that. The Chairman: The workers I have known in the last few years have not had much to spend on taxis—that is, if they were artisans and_ labourers. Witness: The man earning about £4 or £5 a week—that was the man we called a working man.

Witness, continuing, said the average earnings of the drivers of the company was from £5 to £5 10s a week. The average hours were from 146 to 160 a fortnight. They regulated their own hours. Only one man had been dismissed by the company in four years. He considered that the fares charged gave a fair return. It would be disastrous if the fares were increased. Fewer people would-use taxis, and unemployment would result. He was against limitation of tbe number _of taxis, as that would lead to monopolies. He believed in regular hours and a fixed wage, provided these conditions applied to all. He agreed that vehicles should be regularly examined.

In reply to Mr H. J. Hastie witness said he was not now in the taxi business.

He considered that an increase in fares would be detrimental, said witness in answer to Mr J. Moffitt. The Chairman : In 1931 award wages were being paid, and you introduced the commission system? Witness: Yes.

Had you been compelled to observe the wages and conditions of an award would you have been able to carry on? —I think we could.

After questioning witness respecting the amount of capital with which he commenced business in 1931, the Chairman said it was obvious that if witness had had to observe the award in 1931 he would not have been able to operate. Why did he not observe the award? —Because they were after more business, answered the witness. Witness further stated that he was of the opinion that the commission basis of payment was the best because it gave the drivers more incentive to get business.

The committee adjourned till this afternoon.