BUSES v. TRAMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15162, 4 October 1913, Page 7

BUSES v. TRAMS.

AUCKLAND TRAMWAY COMPANY. FIGHTING AGAINST COMPETITION. Per Pbess Association^ AUCKLAND, Oct. 3. The.City Council dfecusseS. a'clause in the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment pill, now before Parliament, empowering Councils to establish, maintain, and regulate services for conveying passengers . within boroughs, and the proposed amendment asked for by the Auckland Tramway Company to protect the Company from municipal competition and provide compensation on every, tramway concession granted by va municipality being infringed. - ; " The Mayor/ expressed the opinion that the .citizens would never consent to be tide in the manner suggested. The Auckland deed of delegation guaranteed the company against com>petition from another tramway, but did not forbid competition in any other form. Moreover there were local reasons for the citizens having the right to run motor 'buses in and about Auckland. The municipalities in the south were anxious to obtain the right to run motor 'buses and were favourable to the clause giving the councils that power, which he regarded as an absolutely necessary right. If the amendment were carried the tramway company would block any other form of traffic but its own, and prevent anybody from running motor ~'bu*es. The Council resolved to communicate with the city and suburban members of Parliament and ask 'them to enter vigorous opposition to the proposed amendment. The Mayor, city solcitor, and chairman of the electric committee were authorised to proceed to Wellington and give eyidence ( before a Parliamentary Committee if necessary.