ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7606, 16 January 1903, Page 3

ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATES.

Mr C. M. Gray has answered the circular of the Canterbury Trades and Laljbur Council as follows : —

I ta.ni in receipt of your favour of Jan. 12, and, inj.'ep!y, beg to submit the following answers~to the list of questions you have forwarded, to. me. : -

1. Recognising the necessity thait exists for preserving the continuity of tha trahi service, I am of opinion that the Board will hhvo to make some arrangements with tlio existing companies with the view of 'conserving tho convenience of the public. All the concefisions expiring -on Sept. 24, 1904, will have run theii* course long before the Beard can hope to have the new system 'installed, and unless the Board is prepared to purchase the necessary plant, in order to keep the trams running, serious inconvenielice is likely to be caused to ihe thousand's of people who use the trains; Consequently, I am not prepared to pledge myself to oppose tho purchaso of whatever plant may biJ required hy the Board. 2. lam in favour of tho Board: constructing and working the ti-antirays in tlie public interest, aitid am not in favour of a, syndicate. 3. These are matters which I understand have already been dealt with by the Arbitration. Court, and I have no de-fire, to interfere with them. 4. Yes, wh<;l_Cver possible. 5. Presuming that the construction of the new tramways will have to be submitted to public tender, I do not see how the Board can possibly have tlio work done by day labour.—l remain, yours truly, C. ivi. GRAY.

Mr W. .Recce has sent the following reply : — (1) The Board cannot proceed with its business until it has arranged with tinholders of existing concessions, and it mustbo trusted tj» make tho best terms in the interest^ of the citizens. It is not likely to load the undertaking by purchasing: materials of a useless character. (2) My views have already been published. lam in favour of municipal ownership and control. (3 and 5) I take it that it will bo the duty of the Board to place every facility in the way of the largest' possible number of contractors who may desire to tender for the supply of electrical plant, .rolling-stock, etc., not 'only with a view of^obtaining a low price, but much valuable information. Therefore, ill my opinion, it would be suicidal to plaice the stipulations contained in your letter in the conditions of tender, firstly, because very feAV would care to tender, secondly, because labour is protected by the Conciliation and Arbitration Acts, and the different Unions concerned will very properly fee thafc contractors comply with the law ih the matter of the adjustment of wages, etc. In the case of unskilled labour being employed, the ,J- oard may be trusted fco act justly, giving fiill valuo for each kind -of woihL performed. (4) Ye?, when adapted to the purpose; but ifc would be very unwise, to advocate experiment in opposition to proved experience in connection with much of tho plant re-

quired,