FREE TRAMWAY PASSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17066, 26 July 1917, Page 6

FREE TRAMWAY PASSES

FURTHER DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL. PASSES GRANTED TO PHILAN'I'rIItOPHJ YVORIsJiRb. The question of granting free passes on the corporation tram cars was iurousr discussed at the meeting ot the City Oounoil last ovening, tho-spt.oial aspect ol the matter that ovoktd most ooiairu.nt being the issue ot passes to -Mesdames Jackson, and Gordon. Cr laverneT moved the adoption of the Jftnanco Committee's recommendation doolmmg the granting of passes to these ladies. He stated i.hat the matter had been oussed by his committee and the Tramways Committee, and an agreement had been arrived at. In order to give the council a farther opportunity of discussing the matter, it was proposed to call in the whole ol the Iree passes on March 1. The whole thing would then come up for review, and he trusted that finality would be reached. In the past these passes had been issued to societies and not to individuals. In declining these applications, as well as a later one from the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society, the committee had so acted as a matter of principle,. Cr Hancock seconded the motion. Cr Kellett said he could not understand the attitude of the chairman of the Finance Committee. He wished to know if the passes specified by the committee were the only ones issued outside the members of the council.

Or laverner: Yes, they are. They are the only ones that are paid for by the Finance Committee. Cr Kellett emphasised the splendid work that was being done by Mrs Jackson and Mrs, Gordon, and moved as an amendment that the request of these two ladies be granted. Or Bradley eeconded the motion. He challenged the statement that the free passes in use were confined to those specified by the committee. Ho had been told that -the matron and sub-matron of the gaol both had passes, which, possibly, were paid for by the Government. Cr Macdonald intimated that he. would give up his pass if it were handed over to one of these ladies.—Cr Bradley said he would do the same thing. Cr Scott said the bargain that had been made between the Finance Committee and the Tramways Comm.ttee was the best one -that could be arrived at in the meantime rhe work that these two kdies were excellent though it was—had nothing whatever to do with the matter of granting these passes. It was a matter of principle, and the precedent would be a bad one, as' hundreds of others would then be entitled to them. He said he would ask Cr Bradley to prove the statement he had made. As far as the speaker knew, those passes did not exist Cr Thompson said he dad not see why such societies as that for the Protection of Women and Children, the Promotion of the Health of Women and Children, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - were more entitled to free passes than these ladies. Cr Taverner said no free passes were held by the matron or sub matron of the gaol. There had been no such passes for a longtime. He appreciated the work done bv these < ladies, but it was a question of principle that guided the committee. If these passes were granted it was opening the way <to granting passes to a large num*ber of other worthy persons. Cr Begg said if we had more Mrs Gordons and Mrs Jaoksons in the city we would not have had such a scandal as we had had during the week. To grant these passes would be applauded by the ratepayers. Cr Wilson said they were going to -initiate a very bad precedent in granting these passes.

Cr Gilkison said ho would support the amendment. These two lad'os were not paid in any way. He suggested that the passes be up to March 1. Cr lOllott was agreeable to this addition. Cr Black said he noticed that the police jumped on tho cars anywhere. The Mavor said that was according to the Ordor-in-Counoil.

Cr Sincock said no one would like to assist these ladies more than he would, but where were they going to stop ? What a/bout tho Rov. Mr King. th« R<*v. Mr Axelscn, and the sisters of tho ohnrohea? The amendment was carried.