THE IDEAL SETTLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1356, 6 February 1912, Page 6

THE IDEAL SETTLEMENT.

Sir,—lt seems to me that there has been a mistaken idea that the trams were owned by the public, and run for their uso and profit, But'it has betin'demonstrated the last week that this is not so, but that they are for the sole purpose of providing work and employment for the Tramway Union. I would suggest that the best way to settle the present dispute TTOiild bo best settled by handing over the whole of the trams and plant to the tramwaymen and their union. They then could appoint their own inspectors, draw their own money, and divide any surplus left over after paying expenses. Of course the public's money built the tramway system, but that is a mere detail, they, the public, being of course liable for any deficiency in vorking and to replace any worn-out plant. The men would appoint their own officials, and if inspectors were wanted at all, they would be only for the purpose of seeing that tho public (who, by permission of the union, might uso the trams), should pay their fares. The check tickets, of course, could be done away with, and so save expense of printing. But any inspector reporting a driver or conductor for anything whatever should bs instantly brought before the secretary of the union and be fined to the extent of half his salary, which would go to the man reported. The union would, of course, settle tho rate of pay, and if there was not enough revenue' , from the trams, a snecial, rate bo imposed to make up tho difference. The public, the supposed owners of tho trams, should be left" out of all consideration, and if they of any want of civility on the part of the masters (I mean tho Tramway Union), the secretary, who need not be a man of tact, should deal with them as he thinks fit. .This arrangement would no doubt work w'ell for a timt, «ay until each man in turn might want to gpt the management into his own hnml, which, "f course, might lead to a strike amongst themselves. It has no doubt b?en heartbreaking to the trnnvwaymen, having to put the general public to any inconvenience, and hurt them very much to compel pooplo (who nre to pay to support the trams and find work and wag»s for them) to walk, s\iy> to Srntoun, Tsland Hay. etc. But then, you sw, that is nothing compared to the fnct that th" union cannot «rt everything they want. I think a month'* r.rst niH- 1 i'.n tv, """' •< good—in fact, an entire rest from tram work would be to stmie people's koneiii.— I am, etc., A TRAM-USER, February 4.