TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 65, 19 March 1926, Page 11

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Kindly permit mc to reply to your correspondent who signs himself "Retired Colonel." That a tram conductor and his mate should have the audacity, to speak to a motorist or report him when endangering the lives of the ordinary citizens appears to shock this gentleman. If I had the gift of writing of an Arnold Bennett, I would say, were I in a conductor's position — sir, I apologise, you know better, you come from London, we have no right to safeguard our public here in Auckland; the road is yours, even though you be a visitor. I will obtain the name of the passenger who rode in my tramcar, and who was stupid as to cause you inconvenience. He shall be prosecuted. Butenough of this frivolity. Let us to the serious side. Those of us who have lived many years in this city, who know the rapidity of its growth, and know how comparatively elowly John Citizen settles down to new innovations, especially modes of travel, are in a position to justify the rules and regulations of. the road instituted by our city fathers from time to time, for the protection of those who, not fortunate enough to own a motor car, must of necessity use those vehicles which the "Retired Colonel" refers to as "traffic blockers"— in other words, tramcars. The tramcars are not the autocrats of the road, as he suggests, but the carriers of our democratic community; that day after day, year in and year out, they carry the city merchant and the watersider, the toiling.widow and the smartlyattired society lady, and that those in charge, often under difficult circumstances, strive to smile and carry on, assiietintr the extremely young and the aged, the maimed and the blind, lest some road hog should get another victim. But not all motorists ere unmindful of their fellows less fortunate than themselves. To them I take off my hat. But to my retired military friend I would say—well, even Auckland may instruct him how to use his car for hie own pleasure, without endangering the common people.—l am, etc., U*ritETl£Er> DIGGEII.