FEELING IN OTHER CENTRES

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 6

FEELING IN OTHER CENTRES

"GROTESQUE REGULATIONS." AVOULD CAUSE "AA'ILD CONFUSION." (By Telegrapli.-Sneeial Correspondent.) Christchlirch, July 12. The "Press," referring Ibis morning to UIC now tramway regulations, says:— Speaking at the close of the second reading debate on the Tramways Hill of last session one of the most mischievous and undemocratic measures ever passed by tho present undemocratic Government — tho Minister for Public AA'orks, in reply to criticisms, said: "He was not concerned about overcrowding (tramcars) so long as the brake-power was sufficient, and he did not propose to interfere in any way." Tho Minister's protestation of non-inter-ference was not regarded seriously by those who recognised the enormous opportunities for interfering placed in his hands by the Bill. After describing the powers given by the Act to the Minister, tho "Press" continues: Of these powers, despite his assertion, that he "did not propose to interfere in any way," Mr. M'Kenzie has availed himself to' the uttermost. Tho regulations he has just issued are not merely drastic, they aro absolutely nonsensical, and if tlie'y are enforced they will throw the tramway systems of the Dominiou into unimaginable chaos. It is difficult to conceive lfow anyone with even average intelligence can think that it would be possible to run a satisfactory tramway service ou tho lines laid down by Mr. M'lCenzio in these grotesqtio regulations. It is hard to believe that the Minister will enforce these ridiculous regulations upon the tramway authorities _ot the Dominion, though? w'o admit that it is equally difficult to imagine why lio brought them forward if he does not mean them to be obeyed. if enforced, they will have one of two results. They will either make it necessary for the tramway authorities to build an enormous number of extra cars of which only partial uso could bo made, and to add 'very largely to their stall', thereby putting themselves and the ratepayers to very great and wholly unnecessary expense, or, if this is not done, they will make tram travelling so difficult as to inconvenience very seriously many thousands of persons daily. This is no question of merely annoying the various Tramway Boards and Committees, of usurping their authority over their employees, or of making idiotic regulations in council under which the tramways were constructed and are worked. That is all bad enough, considering that in three of the four cities the tramways are managed by representatives directly' elected by tho people; but these, regulations will strike at the comfort and convenience of every tram passenger in the Dominion. Most people would sooner submit to a little overcrowding than bo compelled-, to wait their turn, perhaps for half an hour before they could get a seat; but under the pretext of preventing a very mild evil which is not at all generally resented, tho Minister is going to mako chean fares impossible, and lie is going to throw every tram servico in tho country into wild confusion. The regulations, in short,, show ones more the folly aud tho danger of placing power in the hands of a man whoso ignorance of tho public requirements is only equalled by his illfounded confidence in his own omniscience.

In a further brief reference to tho matter, the "Press" remarks; Air. Kpderick M'Kenzic, by the grace of Sir Joseph AYard, Minister for Public Works, has decreed that no ono must stand on a tramcar if lie cannot get a seat. He must wait until a car comes up with a vacant seat in it, or if he does not care to wait indefinitelv, ho can walk, or get home by any otlicr means he prefers and caii afford. The oid proverb about "sauce for the goose" is perhaps almost too personal for use in this connection, but anyhow, what about applying this anti-over-crowding prineiplo to tho railways? We havo recollections, as 110 doubt have many railway journeys extending over hours, which wero performed under conditions of much greater discomfort than is experienced in a brief trip of a few minutes in an overcrowded tramcar. We have known people, after paying full fare from Dunedin to Christchurch, stand for a largo part of _ the journey, or sit on tho arm of a scat in a smoking-carriage bccause the Department would not put ou sufficient carriages to accommodato the passengers. Many people in Christcliureh have shared in the squash on the Lyttelton line on New Year's Day, or liavo had to stand for hours on excursion trains because of the inadequate rolling slock. When some of the Sheffield Choir complained that they had to stand for an hour or two after leaving Auckland before they could get seats, they wero told that things wero 110 worse than is usual at busy times. The railway service seems to require Mr. Jl'Kenzie's reforming zeal much more urgently than the tram services. OPINION IN DUNEDIN. REGULATION GENERALLY CONDEMNED." (By Telegraph-Pre=6 Association.) Dunedin, July 12. The proposed tramway regulations aro generally condemned in Dunedin. If enforced, the carrying capacity of the city cars would bo reduced by 50 per cent., anil the revenue would suffer severely. The hill tram companies are also opposed to the regulations. They contend that their enforcement would have the effect of practically closing those lines.