BLACKOUT SPEEDS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 21 July 1942, Page 4

BLACKOUT SPEEDS

Attitude Of Wellington Tramwaymen UNION OFFICIAL’S LETTER

The recent decision of Wellington tramwaymen to apply a reduction of speed to the trams during the period of blackout conditions is the subject of a further letter received from the secretary of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Tramway Employees’ Union, Mr. P. A. Hansen. The letter deals with the comment made by the mayor, Mr. Hislop, on the decision. After disagreeing with the mayor’s description of the conditions as “trying and difficult”—the men’s description is “a positive menace” —the letter continues: —

“His worship says that all that is required is that, consistent with public safety, every effort should be made to maintain a timetable. Even in the hours of daylight overloading makes it impossible to maintain the pre-war timetable that is still in existence. After darkness this same timetable can only be maintained at the expense of public safety and under conditions which create extreme nervous strain on the motormeu driving the trams, but the mayor makes no suggestion that the timetable should be amended.” Purpose of Front Light. The letter points out that the light in front of the tram was never intended as a (headlight, it was only a warning to traflic. The lighting of the tracks was left entirely to the overhead system, and. with the overhead lights out motormen are driving by guesswork under intolerable conditions. There is no doubt, the letter says, that something must be done to rectify the position, otherwise further fatal accidents are a certainty. Dealing with the mayor’s comment that no representations had been received from the men, a comment which the letter suggests is made in an attempt to explain the‘inactivity of the tramways committee, it is stated that it is a source of dissatisfaction among union members that only on rare occasions will -the committee receive representations from the men. In all cases, the letter says, representations are made to the tramways management, and if, in this instance the tramways management has not informed his worship and the committee of representations made on the men’s behalf it is the management and not the men’s representatives who have been lacking. . The letter concludes by stating that over a period of months representations hare been made as vehemently as possible to any person or persons who could be induced to listen, and assures the mayor that if any improvement can be effected by representations to the tramways committee, or any other persons or party, the men’s representatives will arrange deputation? consisting of any number of men the mayor may nominate. Mayor’s Statement.

When the letter was submitted to Mr. Hislop last night, he made the following statement: — , “Information is being obtained by the management for presentation to an early meeting of the tramways committee. No useful purpose can be served by a newspaper controversy. Meanwhile I repeat that every effort consistent with the public safety should be made to maintain the timetable. The public is surely entitled to this effort.”