THOSE TRAM RULES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1181, 17 July 1911, Page 6

THOSE TRAM RULES.

THE STATE'S POLICY. IS IT ALL "TAKE" AND NO "GIVE"? 0y Tolecrapn.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, July 15. Interviewed on the subject of tho tramway ; regulations, ..the Mayor (Mr, C. E, Maclcoy) ,; expiTiscit ; tho 'point" of viow of one'-'of tho smaller tramway-owning bodies of '.the Dominion, which, like that of tho larger centres, is emphatic in its condemnation. The Wanganui system, ho said; was now making a profit, and was on iv firm footing, but no more. So far as 'the Wauganui Borough' Council "■ was concerned, tho regulations would bo absolutely unworkable, and could only result, in a huge deficit, .or an increase in fares. 'The position is still raoro serious for' the borough of Wanganui East, and tor'--, tho Gonville-Castlecliff' Tramway Board. Noither of the'so bodies had been invited to participate in the conference, which is to be held in Wellington on tho,'subject, and ho had . therefore, communicated with the Wellington City Council with a view to their being incited.

Speaking generally on tho subject, tho Mayor thought'that such far-reaching proposals should bo made only by Parliament; and not on tho' solo responsibility of tho Minister for Public Works, whu iad.too much power placed in his hands. "ft- is," he continued, "only one sample of the way in which tho Government is ; treating local bodies. Take, for instate, tho'-.'recent legislation which forbade us to Control our own sinking' funds, and forced, us to. lend them ..to the Government; SI iayriuldri't.niiiul.so. riiuch" if -they; treated us fairly in the matter, but it's all 'take,' and no 'give' with them. "For instance, look at the Government's attitudo over tho Guyton Street crossing. There, if anywhere, was a case for equitable and generous treatment, yet the Government refused to help us to the extent of sixpence, and, at the last moment, Teceded even from tho undertaking which they had given us. "I suppose that the Government olaim that they are trying to safeguard the public, travelling on the trams. Well,. 1 believe charity begins at home, and I think that the Government might start on their own railways, and do a little more there for tho comfort of the travelling public ■before interfering with the trams." Mr. A. G. Bignell, chairman'of.the Gon-,Tille-Castlccliu" Tramway Board, was equally emphatic about the absurdity of .the regulations which, apparently, had been framed by some understrappers in the Department who were totally ignorant of tramway passenger traffic, and its control. The marvel was that any Minister should permit such regulations to emanate from his office. So far. as' the Gonville-Castleclilr service was concerned, its financial success was mainly dependent en what might bo called "rush traffic" at holiday times, one of tho principal objects being; to convey passengers to the seaside expeditiously: To now say that «scat must be found for every passenger •would put this out of the question. Not | only so, but tho enforcement of such regulations at the present time, when,local bodies had contracted for big undertakings under existing conditions, would be tantamount to a breach of faith. Mr. Bignell added that such regulations would absolutely prohibit the installation of trams in a number of smaller towns, •which were now considering them, and would interfere with the extensions, of existing city tramways. Tho idea of tramways being a luxury had long been exploded. They were now considered;; a necessity, and everything should be done to .enablo the congested populations to. get into the-suburban, areas,, and also to Teduce fares (not increase them). An increase would oventuate if tho regulations ,were given effect to. \ ' .':'