TRAMS V. BUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 13

TRAMS V. BUSES.

QUESTION OF PUBLIC

TRANSPORT.

IABOUB SUPPORTS THE TRAMS

LENGTHY RESOLUTION- PASSED

The Auckland Labour Representation Committee, which represents 30 industrial unions and IS Labour party branches, a total membership representation of 13,000, has resolved to endorse and bupport the present municipal tram•vvav bvstem of public transport, as against private bus transport, according to i letter i'rnm the committee read at last night'? meeting of the Oity Council. ' In a lengthy resolution passed by the Labour Representation Committee and forwarded to the council, the following reasons were advanced: — (1) We are convinced that the present system of electric triim< for the carrying of passentrprs is the safest and cheapest method of transport; (-) that municipal enterprise as a public utility operates for public benefit, as against private enterprise operating for private profit; (3) that we have no desire to penalise, districts outside the.trnrmvay area, and eu'bmit that the regulations do not penalise these districts; (4) that pri-vately-owned omnibuses are a duplication of passenger traffic and a danger to public safety: (r>) we urge trade unionist sto patronise City Council tram service, which maintains trade union rates of wages and conditions, as against abnormally long hours and low wages paid by private bus owners; (6) in view of the fact that the deed of delegation governing tramway system doe not expire until 1940, and consequently necessitates the maintenance of the tramway system whether a payable proposition or not; and if involving a monetary loss, means increased rates or an increase in car fares; (7) as a means of meeting the competition of bus traffic we suggest the issuing of yearly, halfyearly and monthly tickets, such tickets to be .available over the entire system, with an unrestricted number of rides. We are of the opinion that the adoption of this method would lead to greater patronage by citizens as pri-vately-owned passenger buses could not give the same effective service. It was lesolved to thank the Auckland Labour Representation Committee for their resolution and advise that matters would be considered on the return of the manager of tramways from abroad.