The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1903. TRAMWAY MATTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7605, 15 January 1903, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1903. TRAMWAY MATTERS.

Among the series of questions put to candidates for seats on the Tramway Board by the Trades and' Labour Council is one which, amounts to an invitation to bind the respondent to vote for the annexation of the present lines without compensation. We can hardly believe that the great body of the workers will countenance their representatives' question. Admitted that they are pledged: opponents of private monopolies, and that they invariably strive to break them down, we can hardly believe that they will regard) with favour any attempt in this direction which does not offer a fair oneasure of recompense. The present tram service 'has a selling value, however small, and wo d© not suppose that the workers or any other section of the community would agree to their appropriation at a penny less than their value. -Any other course would not only be unjust, but it would be impolitic. It would bo impolitic for this reason: The tramway companies may be in the unpleasant position of a monopolist about to 'be deprived of his monopoly, but for all that they possess an asset which is worth a good 1 deal to them, and' which is indispensable to the Board before it can begin the task of electi-ifying the tram system. We refer to their concessions. In somo sections these concessions will be exhausted next year, but in others they will nob run out for four or five years, and) in one or two they have fourteen or fifteen years to run. It is plain then that the companies 'have something to sell besides their plants, something which the Tramway Board will be very glad to buy at a lower price than the 'high <xne which the companies can ii they choose put upon it. We have no doubt thab the; companies will not ask an exorbitant gum for their unexpired leas?*'. They will be the very first to realise tho- advantages of an amicable arrangement by which, they will 'be able to get rid of their leases as well as their plant;. But it is just as well to bear in mind that they are not- entirely at the mercy of the Board, and moreover, if they were, that it would not be very honest or dignified to take advantage of their position. As matters stand there is ample opportunity for a friendly agreement which will place the Board in possession of the concessions, and it is advisable at this stage of the- proceedings not to overlook this fact.