SERVICE BELOW COST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 5

SERVICE BELOW COST.

SALE OF TRAMWAY TICKETS. HIGHER COMMISSION WANTED. Protesting against the insufficiency of the tramway department's increase in the agents' commission on tram concession cards from J per cent to 1* per cent, a meeting of Auckland shopkeepers decided last evening that the department should be asked to increase the commission to 21 per cent. Explaining the position at the meeting, Mr. A. Aley, who presided, said that there were many more concession cards under the new scale of fares than formerly, and it was questionable whether the increase of J per cent in the commission was sufficient to meet the increased volume of work. Mr. A. W. Page said that losses had occurred under the old scale. Even with a strict limit being placed upon the number of agents, the position was unsatisfactory, and was becoming worse with the creation of new agencies. Agents found it necessary to provide a quick-service department, with a ticket seller continually in charge, and special ticket cabinets and cash drawers. A balance had to be made every evening, and this would mean much more clerical work with 54 tickets than with six, as previously provided. In addition to the considerations mentioned there was also the risk of fire and burglary. Stocks of tickets held overnight by some agents amounted to £200 or £250 worth. Mr. Page suggested that the commission should be 2i per cent, which was identical with "that received on the sale of postage stamps. Mrs. E. W. Moore and Mr. Page were appointed to act with the chairman in bringing before the manager of tramways, Mr. A. E. Ford, a suggestion that the commision should be 2h per cent. !