Transport Board

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 12

Transport Board

Sir, —Like the National Government it looks as if the Citizens’ Transport Board has quite a few rods in pickle for the ratepayers of Christchurch “after” the election on Saturday. The only remedy is for a bumper vote for the Labour ticket They

do not claim that they will solve all the financial problems attending the system, but at least they will not be masquerading as successful businessmen as do the Citizens majority at present. For all participant pensioners, this is the only way to safeguard their concession cards. I should know because I have paid the penalty for criticising this board by being robbed of a position as deputy returning officer after many years of service. However, I have been victimised before by experts and I am quite used to it by now. Motorists are vitally concerned. They should be sure to vote.—Yours, etc., TOM BRYCE. September 30, 1964. [The chairman of the Christchurch Transport Board (Mr J. R. Smith) said the appointment of deputy returning officers was the responsibility of the returning officer. The: returning officer (Mr J. F. Fardell) said that Mr Bryce did not apply for a position as a deputy returning officer until September 29. He was offered a position on September 30 and had now accepted it.] Sir, —The evertocreasing burden of Transport Board rates provides a good argument for the introduction of a citizens tax. The longsuffering ratepayers have to meet the board’s whole deficiency. There was a time when it was the policy of the old Tramway Board that the user should pay for his ride. That is, of course, not possible now, but the weakness of rating is that the board is in the position of a company with unlimited reserves —in this case the ratepayer is the “reserves.” This must remove much work and worry from the management. The action of the board in increasing the salary of the manager to £3OOO a year, plus £2OO car allowance, plus £5O as a commissioner, plus £5O for acting as returning officer, is beyond reason. Would the board publish a list of persons, other than staff and local body chairmen, who enjoy free passes at the ratepayers’ expense?—Yours, etc., FAMILY MAN. October 1, 1964.