THE TRAMWAYS ACT

Evening Star, Issue 14531, 6 December 1910, Page 7

THE TRAMWAYS ACT

HOSTILE CRITICISM. [SrEcnu. to,the Star.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 6. Tho Christchurch Tramways Board spent some little time yesterday in discussing tho Act, and the Board expressed their thanks to the Hon. 11. F. Wigram, M.L.C., and Mr T. M. Wilford, M. P., for their efforts to conserve the rights of municipal bodies.

Mr J. A. Flosher said that the Board should consider their relations with certain of their employees who gave evidence before the Parliamentary Committee. One of them had said that tho Board attached greater importance to revenue than to the safety of tho public. Such a statement was totally unwarranted, and should never have been tnado, and any cniployco of the Board who was prepared to make such a statement before a parliamentary committee must be devoid of all sense of responsibility, and not lit to bo out rusted with a responsible position iu the Boards service. Tho matter was one for serious consideration, and the whole of 'tho evidence given bv the representatives of tho Christchurch Union should be reviewed bv the Stall Committeo.

"The general manager (Mr F. Thompson) explained that the words had virtually been put into the mouth of the witness by the Minister of Public Works. Tin- latter had asked a question, iind the mail had assented to it. Mr Booth agreed that the man might have said something which he would not have done had lie had time to consider.

At a later stage of the meeting Mr Booth said that when the Bill was helore the I'pper House oik; of tho members had said that it was unnecessary, and the Attorney General was reported lo haw interjected that the motonnen had asked for it. That might have been a good reason in the eyes of tho niotormen, but ho did not think it was creditable that it should bo accepted as sufficient by a responsible member of a democratic government. Mr Booth proposed that the Board should record their appreciation of Mr Wilford's efforts.

The Chairman said that the amendments mado to the Bill had undoubtedly benefited the Board. The sting had been taken out of tho clause relating to inotormeu's certificates by the provision that a candidate for a certificate must obtain a certificate from the. general manager of the service in which he was engaged that he was a fit and proper person to apply. The proposal that the Minister should be empowered to increase a service had been vetoed, and the Board, as in the past, would be the judge of the requirements of their system. "There is not one clauso in tho Bill that is required," the Chairman continued. " The ratepayers of Ciiristehurcli are quite satisfied with the way the Board hive conducted their business, for we have suited our constituents, and in all cases wo have decided that tho passengers must pay for the service and that no demand must ho made upon tho ratepayers." Referring to the matter mentioned by Mr Fleslier, the Chairman said that the statement that tho Board placed consideration of revenue before consideration for their employees and the safety of the public was untrue.