29.
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VI.-REDUCTION IN NUMBERS OF HAWKERS.
We consider that it would not be over-optimistic to expect that, if it were found possible to put into effect the proposals outlined above, the number of unlicensed hawkers who flock in the centre of the town would eventually decline. The following additional factors might make for this desirable result:-
(i) On being allotted a pitch in an approved hawkers market and with the disappearance of the fear of arrest for unlicensed hawking and of confiscation of his goods, the hawker might cease the practice of dividing his goods and sending out his whole family to hawk in order to spread the risk.
(ii) Limitation of the size of the allotment would have the effect of driving out of business the big so-called "shopkeeper" hawkers with many hangers-on.
(iii) The sliding-scale of fees for sites would, as already mentioned, have the effect of inducing many hawkers to move further away from the busiest centres.
(iv) It is to be hoped that the gradual rehabilitation of trade and industry, a process which has already begun, will lead to the employment of many, who at present pursue the business of hawking, in more regular occupations. Our terms of re- ference do not call upon us to suggest how any excess of unlicensed hawkers who cannot be accommodated under our suggested schemes are to be disposed of eventually. Many of them may find other work or return to their native villages. If our suggestion for deportation made later in this report is adopted persistent offenders may gradually disappear.
VII. CLASSES OF HAWKERS.
30. Since the number of sites likely to become available under the plan suggested will be limited, it is essential that these sites should be allotted to those types of hawkers who are at present rendering the more useful services to the community.
31.
There are five existing classes of licence for hawkers, namely:- (i) Hawkers (Stallholder)
32.
(ii)
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(iii)
(iv)
"
(v)
(Itinerant)
(Steamships)
(Native crafts) (Newspapers)
As regards stallholders, we understand that the present policy of the Urban Council is, by issuing no new stallholders licences, gradually to do away with the existence of fixed stalls, on the grounds that stalls are an obstruction to traffic and street cleaning and that their removal would leave more room for itinerant hawkers.
33. Though we endorse generally this long-term policy for the abolition of stalls it seems to us, however, that there exists temporarily a need for cooked-food stalls owing to the shortage of eating-houses and canteens for workers. Our advice therefore is that a certain number of cooked-food stalls should continue to be licensed as a temporary measure, and that no new licences be issued for any other type of fixed stall.