WELLINGTON WALKS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 129, 28 November 1945, Page 8

WELLINGTON WALKS

TRAM AND BUS STOPPAGE

UNION STANDS FIRM

Today Wellington walked and rode on bicycles, cars, trucks, anything- on wheels, but mostly walked, for the tram and Corporation bus stoppage was complete. Up to the time of g*oing* to press there were no developments, one way or the other, but a move towards a solution of the dispute between the union and the council over the cessation of payment of the war loading bonus may be made tomorrow.

The union's attitude is stated quite definitely: that if a settlement cannot be reached by Tuesday next there will be a further stoppage on Wednesday, December 5, when a general meeting of members will be held to decide what further action shall be taken. The Mayor (Mr. Appleton) made no statement of the council's views today.

Services will be normal tomorrow,

The Kelburne and Karori Company's ■cable cars and buses were not affected, and of course scooped the business and "will again this evening when people start for home. Motorists divided themselves into two camps: Those who JBlled their cars and earned the thanks of their friends and of people they had never seen before; and those other motorists who let people walk, and broiled past with no company at all or [with back seats empty. Perhaps they Svere evenly divided, but the completely selfish drivers will be remembered for quite a time by trampers this morning from Island Bay, Karori, Lyall Bay, and the other outer suburbs.

Trucks and lorries, including Army and Air Force vehicles, did a fair share of passenger transport this morning, though there may be something to the contrary in Service regulations. 'Cyclists turned out in unexpected strength, which meant that Johnny and !Gertie had to walk to school instead of riding. However, they made it—walk, ride, ■or cycle—and most people seemed ■happy enough about it, but, of course, the morning was a real delight. Hutt Valley, Johnsonville, Khand•allah, and Ngaio people came in as visual, as far as the railway station, at any rate.

TAXIS NOT RUSHED.

To tli3 surprise of the taxi companies and operators, they had a very dull' morning. "Naturally we had expected to be rushed," the manager of one company told a "Post" reporter. "Nothing of the sort happened. We had cars out everywhere, waiting, and they kept on waiting, so that we had no difficulty at all in handling boat, train, &nd hospital passengers. It seems that Wellington people had made up their minds that they would have to walk, and walk they did; maybe they •set out to show that they could do without trams —and without taxis, too —but if the morning had been different our story would have, been different also."

He said, however, that afternoon calls would be busier, for people would aiot look forward to long walks home after work. Bookings for evening cars were not so far unusual, but, in any ease, a fair number of cars would be held back for boat, train, and hospital business.