“UNFAIR ATTITUDE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 14

“UNFAIR ATTITUDE”

RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY’S CRITICISM (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “I think the attitude of the Railways Department in this matter is quite unfair,” said Mr. P. Skoglund, No. 2 Licensing Authority, yesterday in dealing with the application of W. Higgs, of Wellington, for a contract ipassenger service license. The applicant said he had given up a taxi business to engage in work for the Tourist Department at the department’s request, and (had now been informed that unless he had a transport license he would not be able to cater for the .work of the Tourist Department. Mr. Skoglund said he had not granted a transport license previously because Higgs was operating under the license from the Wellington City Council, and he (Mr. Skoglund) was of the opinion that the license was sufficient.

Higgs 'said he had been informed that now he must have a transport license. The Wellington City Council would not grant him a taxi license unless he 'bought out some service.

The Railways Department objected to the granting of a transport license mainly on the ground that there were existing facilities to cope with the work.

Mr. Skoglund granted. Higgs a lieebse. lie said lie was not going to take any man’s livelihood from him. "What happens on appeal does not concern me one iota,” he said. "I am here to give a decision conscientiously and which I think is fair on 'the evidence.”