TRAMWAYS AND FIRE BRIGADES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 24, 23 October 1907, Page 11

TRAMWAYS AND FIRE BRIGADES.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION. CRITICISM BY THE MAYOR OP AUCKLAND. (fltOM OUR OWN CORRKSPOKDEKT.) Auckland, Octob'or 21. Tho Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) was seen by a "Hornld" representative relative to the statements made by and to the deputation which waited on the Acting-Minister for Public Works at Wellington on Friday, in connection with certain objectionable clauses contained in tho Tramways Amendment Bill. In regard to tho statement made by Mr. Poolo, " I presume," said Mr. Myers, " wo must take this gentleman's remarks seriously, but, as he talks in platitudes, it is somewhat difficult to follow his reasoning. When the Bill first made its appearance, I clearly stated my protest against certain clauses was, on tho main ground, that an attempt was being mado to intorfero with the legitimate functions of local government. I still hold the opinion, and agree fully with the Mayor of Wellington iii his statement that it would be equally • as reasonable for tho municipal bodies to claim the right of inspecting tho Government railways as for tho Government to tako over the inspection of the local tramways. Mr. Poole admits that the present Council has boon, and is, striving to drag order, out of chaos, and this surely is sufficient'evidence, coming from such a source, to clearly prove that tho,Council is quite alive to its responsibilities, and capablo of carrying them out. The chargo made is in effect that tho Auckland Council has not controlled tho local tramway service in as efficient a manner as the Government hoped to under tho Bill, and while admitting that the Company has not always recognised its responsibilities in regard to the number of cars needed, condition of plant, and several minor matters, it is clearly known to all who have followed the Council's action that the Council has been determined to seo that the Company carried out faithfully the terms of tho deed of delegation, which clearly sets forth its.responsibilities, and which is based upon an Order in Council passed and approved by tho Government. • With tho arrival next month of an electrical engineer of high standing, tho Council will be in an oven stronger position in dealing' effectively with every branch and detail of the service. We do not object' to the Government 'oxamining and licensing motormen. As pointed but by the Mayor of Wellington, tho present Act 1 gives the local authority. all tho powers necessary to overcome; any difficulties that may ariso, and,'with him, learn that the Government inspection' 'will', be any 'more complete. than that by, the municipalities. Wo as a. Council are quite satisfied, with our present responsibilities, and' aro not anxious, liko the Government, to extend our legitimate functions. The, Minister has, stated that tho powers to he vested in him by the Bill,aro not a, very wide extension of the powers already, possessed...; Admitting, this to be so, our real objection is to thoso. clauses which propose in practice to transfer from the Ideal body to the Minister- the control of the tram-, ,way service. . Tho Order-in-Couricil as .it stands, already confers upon ~ him amplo .authority to deal in ■ any matter which, in his opinion, may* be thought desirable. Tho result of legislation of tho character. pro-: , posed will no doubt be to bring matters of a local character affecting particular districts on to tho floor of the House, and to cause tho time of Parliament' to be largely taken up 1 , with questions of a peculiarly parochial charact'er,which better be ontrusted to the control of the local■ authority.'- Tho' Council and myself recogniso that we ■ are fighting for an important principle which is being threatened by proposals to transfer our legitimate functions to a central authority in Wellington-. My bolief is that tho local authorities' functions should ho increased rather than diminished;. ! .' : ■ ''; • FIRE BRIGADES BILL. ' * Tliore appears to be.some hope, of the objectionable clauses contained.'in. the Fire Brigades Bill being placed on c riibre-reason-able basis.. The Mayor, telegraphed. to, the Hon. Dr. Finlny expressing regret and surprise that-tho Bill .still provided for the confiscation of the Council's property at,the'end of twonty-a'vo . \ years, and protesting most ■ strongly oii behalf of the citizens of .Auckland, at tho same time trusting tho Minister would seo his way clear to alter the.proposal. A reply has been recoived by tho Mayor as follows: —"As I said to tho deputation,: I am: prepared to havo amendments mado providing for .'payment to City Councils, of the. yaluo of land . and,. buildings and interests transferred, so long as'the, payment, is ,dis- t tributeel over a number of years, say, 33. ,1 trust this will, bo satisfactory to tho municipalities.if carried." ,-\\ .',.- ,'-..,. Tho Mayor.sent another telegram saying: " Pleased , with your proposed amendments providing for payment'to Councils the value of tho land, buildings, and .plant.transferred. No objection ttf payment being spread over 33 years, providing there is a clear margin of. one per cent, over interest payable by Board to Council." ,':'., Speaking further on the-subject, tho Mayor that a copy of tho amending Bill had reached him,- and on reforenco' to it ho was surprised to find that Clauso 9, Sub-Section o,' provided that when any property vested in or transferred to a Fire Board was subject 'to any mortgage the local authority would ,hayo to indemnify the Board against any liability for such mortgage, and. that Sub-Sec-tion 11 of tho samo clause revoked the provisions of Section 31 of the Fire' Brigades Act, 1906, for payment by the Board to tho Council for .such. property. This, ho thought; clearly demonstrated the necessity of the municipalities throughout tho Domin- ■ ion entering their'strong protest against the 'confiscation of any portion of their property as evidently intended by the Bill. It would be a matter of deep regret if a Bill of such 'f air-reaching' and conliscatory character ever reached the Statute Book. 'At any rate, he considered it reason for gratification that tho Colonial Secretary had now recognised tho injustice of the contemplated proposals, and, as; indicated by his tolcgraui, intended to treat the municipal interests, handed over to the Boards with (to put it mildly) common justice. !