XN000022-1984-01-18 — Page 15

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984

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METHOD OF DELIVERING TAXI PACKAGE CRITICISED

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THE HON CHARLES YEUNG SAID THAT EVEN IF THE PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING THE PROPOSED PACKAGE COULD NOT BE FAULTED AND STRIDENT IMPACT OF THE PACKAGE WAS DEFENSIBLE, THE METHOD OF DELIVERY LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG IS GOVERNED BY CONSENSUS.

THE SYMPATHY OF THE PUBLIC, MR YEUNG SAID, WAS WITH THE TAXI TRADE MAINLY ON THE POINT OF THE +UNPRECEDENTED AND SUDDEN MANIFOLD INCREASE IN DIRECT TAXATION ON THE TRADE.+

BUT THE PUBLIC, AS FAR AS HE COULD ASCERTAIN, DID NOT SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE TAXI OPERATORS.

+HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC RECOGNISED THE FINANCIAL IMPACT THE

MEASURES WOULD HAVE ON THE TAXI DRIVERS.+

MR YEUNG SAID THAT A FREEZE ON THE NUMBER OF TAXIS WAS JUSTIFIABLE.

+BUT TO EMPLOY FINANCIAL STRICTURE AS A MEANS OF CONSTRAINT ON TAXI OPERATION TO EASE ROAD CONGESTION WOULD NEED VERY GOOD REASONS TO SUSTAIN IT, HE SAID.

A TAXI LICENCE WAS A FORM OF INVESTMENT OR PROPERTY, BY VIRTUE OF THE PRICE PAID FOR IT EITHER FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR

IN THE MARKET. SINCE TAXI FARES WERE CONTROLLED AND OPERATORS COULD NOT RELY ON MARKET FORCES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FAIR AND REASONABLE TO THEM.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT, WITHOUT VERY COGENT REASON, DEPRIVE THE TAXI OWNERS OF JUST RETURNS ON INVESTMENT, NOR SHOULD IT LOWER THE TAXI DRIVERS LIVING STANDARD, HE SAID.

MR YEUNG SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION GAP WHICH LED TO MISUNDERSTANDING AND IRRITATION.

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