Tramway Economies.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19853, 14 February 1930, Page 8

Tramway Economies.

The chairman of the Christclmrch Tramway Board, Mr W. Hayward, made it very plain to the North Papanui residents this week that the Board cannot be expected to continue to maintain unprofitable lines and to spend large sums in relaying lines that have never paid and are unlikely to pay. This view will be shared by those who hold that the tramway services are intended to pay for themselves and not to provide something for nothing; and it is to the credit of the North Papanui people that, in the main, they saw the force of this. Of course there was gome resistance. It was even proposed by one speaker that a rate should be levied on the whole tramway area, so that the line from Papanui northwards could be rebuilt and run at a loss. It would be almost as reasonable to ask for a general rate to provide Sydenham with free light or Linwood with free drains. Those who urge such openhanded policies forget that the Northcote line was established only on condition that the district should itself shoulder any loss, and that, when the condition was upset on a technicality, the extension became, improperly, a charge upon the general undertaking. This is not the only case of the kind; and the Tramway Board should now think very carefully before entering into similar commitments. The Board would also be well advised, when providing a substitute service, not to bind itself by engagements which might involve it in further losses. The Board has no right to be generous; its duty is to pay its way, by providing transport for those who are willing to pay its cost.