LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE KAIKORAI TRAMWAY SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 16

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE KAIKORAI TRAMWAY SERVICE

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—May I be permitted to comment on some of the matter contained in your sub-leader in to-day's issue in regard to the above subject? You say, inter alia: " But it is difficult to see that it" (that is, the company) "has a great deal to gain by its rejection of the council's offer. The service . . has proved quite a satisfactory investment for its shareholders. Through its refusal of the terms of sale to the city the company may possibly put the city—and in that case the citizens . to some inconvenience of a temporary nature. But it cannot hope to alter the deter- , mination of the council, as a matter of fixed policy, to incorporate the transport service of this district within the extensive system conducted by the municipal authority." A little bit of verse comes to my mind, which seems to be very applicable in this instance. It runs somewhat like this, if my memory is not at fault: Just stand aside and let yourself go by; Think of yourself as he, instead of I. In other words, it advocates the very fine idea of attempting to get the other fellow's vision of any matter. Running tramway companies is not nearly as profitable a game as running newspapers—both contingent on being well run. The return to shareholders from dividends, etc., in the Kaikorai Tram Company is not to be compared with what has been received from original investment in the Otago Daily Times Company, as I have the advantage of knowing. Let us suppose that the Prime Minister, in pursuance of his. oftexpressed love for the press of New Zealand, should pass a law giving power to the heads of State to refuse newspapers the right of issuing their publications, and that in the interests of the public the Government should cancel the right to issue the Daily Times, and advise that the Government was going to buy on the basis of the valuation of its own appointee—perhaps Mr Semple. The valuer would doubtless say that, the paper having no right of issue, the plant was valueJess, or worth scrap prices. The Daily Times assets in the way of premises., plant, copyrights, etc., are in book value approximately worth £BO,OO0 — actually a lot more. How would the company appreciate an offer by the Government of, say. even £20.000. 'Take it or leave it"? 1 can imagine the indignation of the company, through its editor, being expressed in a soul-stirring leader on modern highwaymen and their " Stand and deliver!" methods. Oh. well, it is hard to put yourself in the other fellow's place. But let it pass. This is the time of goodwill, and, while I may be disposed to say things in extenuation of modern business after the festive season is over. I restrain the present desire, and content myself with merely asking you to polish your hand mirror and have a L'ood look at yourself going by. With the season's greetings,—l am. etc.. Alex. Sllgo, Chairman D.H.K. Tram Company. December 23. »