VISITING TRAMWAYMEN

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1926, Page 14

VISITING TRAMWAYMEN

ENJOYABLE SMOKE CONCERT. SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE. In connection with the conference of tramwaymen in New Plymouth, the Tramways Union held an enjoyable smoke concert in the Fitzroy Hall last night. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) presided over a large attendance, which included a number of members of the Borough Council. After the honouring of the loyal toast Mr. R. Alsop proposed that of the Tramway Federation. It was customary, he said, for delegates from all the centres to meet every year to discuss matters •in connection with tramway matters, and this year the conference had been allotted to New Plymouth; therefore they were doing their utmost to make the delegates’ stay as enjoyable as possible. In reply, Mr. W. J. Rogers said that the tramwaymen of New Zealand were generally represented at the conference which was being held, and which not only affected the welfare of the tramwaymen, but of the general public. The tramwaymen were endeavouring to give the general public faithful service. They had to possess many smiles to their characters, which had 'to include both humour and patience, for they had a lot to put up with from the public. It was an age of federations, of combination and organisation, for it was realised many years ago that unity meant strength. The tramwaymen desired a decent standard of existence and the protection of life and limb. They had passing through their hands thousands of the public, and if they were not qualified they might find that some disastrous accident would occur. The public was not always as considerate as it might be, not only for the tramwaymen, but for the railwaymen. They were grateful for the hospitality they had received, and felt that the gathering was a benefit not only to the tramwaymen, but to the federation and the industrial movement in New Zealand. New Plymouth, said Mr. C. Hobbs in reply to the same toast, was an isolated centre and. did not come into contact with members of the federation, but he wanted to expel the idea that there was only one centre in New Zealand. It might, he said, and was thought, that the interests of the employer and employee were opposed to each other, but he wanted to dispel that idea also. The men who had the most vital interest were those who earned their bread and butter on the job, and they should see that the tramways were efficient, not only mechanically, but also in their management. The federation had no idea of hindering the tramwaymen, but was working to further the interests of the employees, and more than that, the service for which the tramways were first inaugurated. If there were a better understanding with the employers they would get further ahead and do away with 'bus competition. He wanted to impress upon the employees that there should be no distinction betwee the services. Their interests were identical, and they should build up an organisation which would advance their interests and bring into force a better spirit. The toast of the delegates was proposed by Mr. J. Royston, who said he hoped that as a result of the conference many good things would materialise, and that the delegates would carry away with them good thoughts of the town. Responding, Mr. J. Liddwell expressed the appreciation of the delegates of the hospitality received in New Plymouth. He also thanked the Tramway Union for their entertainment that evening. Proposing the toast of the tramways of New Zealand, Mr. Snow spoke of the loyal support of the tram way men, which, he said, had largely contributed to the progress of the tramways. For such progress the employers and employees must work in unity. In response, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said the tramways success largely depended on those who were engaged in working them. He had often heard appreciation expressed tsc cf' service of the New Plymouth tramwaymen. When the trams were first inaugurated New Plymouth was the smallest town in the world to go in for the overhead system. There had been a great deal of controversy as to whether trams or 'buses should be employed, and it was largely because the electric supply was conducted by the council that the trams had won the day. There was no doubt that trams were the better for mass transportation, and since the public had been willing to pay a rate to have them, then the town had naturally advanced. It was during the ten years since the inauguration of the trams that the population of New Plymouth had been doubled. It was remarkable that New Plymouth had instituted 'buses to run in conjunction with the trams, and this had been amply justified. If this had been done in other centres they would probably not have had the trouble with the ’buses. Other toasts honoured were The Employers. Mr. H. Rogers—Cr. J. Brown; The Labour Party, Mr. J. Jemison —Mr. J. Liddwell; The Employees, Mr. J.

Kibby—Mr. McTeague; The Ladies, Mr. Spackman-—Mr. L. Brown; The Press, Mr. R. Day—Mr. L. Cooper; the Entertainers, Cr. G. Colson—Mr. Moon. During the evening items were concluded by Messrs. Pickering, Randall, .1011, Turner, Walker, Moon, Royston, Des Forges, Howlett and Liddell. The evening concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and cheers for the t: I on, the Mayor and councillors, and the visiting delegates.