MOTORS AND TRAMWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 62, 15 March 1922, Page 7

MOTORS AND TRAMWAYS.

PASSING STANDING CAKS. UNIFORMITY ESSENTIAL. MR. G. J, GARLAND'S WARNING. "I am very glad that the Auckland City Council has taken this matter in hand," said the Hon. George J. Garland, M.L.C., to a -Star" reporter this morning when speaking of the Council's proposed by-law prohibiting motor cars from passing standing tramcars. Mr. Garland has fi'lt very strongly on the inntter for a I long time, and hud already decided on a plan of campaign before the Council tackled the question. While congratulating the Council on taking tlia matter up with earnestness, Mr. Garland says there still more to be done. "The dangers which urged the City Council to take action exist wherever tramlines run," remarked Mr. Garland, "and in my judgment it. would be the best and' wisest course for all the local bodies through whose districts the tramcars pass to hold a conference, so that they may arrive at a universally accepted by-law. If that were done the motorists would know that the same by-law that operated within the precincts of the city would also be in force in the outside boroughs. If this course is not followed there will simply be endless confusion. "In addition, to the city it must be rememl>ered that the tram lines run through the boroughs of Onehunga, Mt. Albert, Mount Kden and Newmarket, and the road district of One-tree Hill. Newmarket has already come forward with the very thing that was wanted, in the form of a by-law which, f am sure, th<> travelling public appreciate. It is a, bylaw which is absolutely necessary, for protecting the life and" limb of pedestrians, but to achieve the greatest possible good we must hayS a measure that operates wherever tramcars run. "On the question of safety I am not so much concerned about the adult population, which one naturally expects can look after itself, but I am deeply concerned for the children, and especially the young children, who frequently use the cars in going to and from school. We cannot expect these young children to be as alert, and as watchful »s grown-ups, and I commend these thoughts to those who have authority within the boroughs so that they may combine with the City Council and. if possible, create a by-law with general application. "If something be not done before Parliament meets in .Tune," added Mr. Garland, ['I certainly shall consider it my duty to bring the matter up, either by myself or by the belp of members iv the Lower House. Moreover, if it be neoessary, I will be responsible for introducing; a measure iv the Upper House which will compel the local bodies we have been speaking nbout to take steps to accomplish what every person must know and feel is a most desirable precaution."