The Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3. 1920. THE TRAMWAY LOAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 4

The Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3. 1920. THE TRAMWAY LOAN.

The Christchurch Tramway Board is putting forward a very comprehensive loan proposal, which is to no voted on by the ratepayers next week. The sura asked for is a very largo one—more than one-third of a million pounds—but the board may bo relying on the fact that the people havo become habituated to thinking in millions instead of thousands. It is a question of tactics, with the board endeavouring to carry the loan by one big assault rather than by a senes of small skirmishes, ft is really asking for “ all or nothing,” risking the possibility that it may got nothing. Ratepayers are notoriously conservative when considering loans. The worst danger confronting the board’s proposal is that the great ma jority of the ratepayers are situated in districts which arc already well served by the existing system, and they may not bo inclined to support extensions whose prospects of financial success are problematical. There is a good deal in the resolution adopted by the City Council last evening at the instance of Councillor Ilesher, suggesting that the board should submit its proposals separately instead of eu bloc, in order that the ratepayers might have, freedom of choice with regard te the proposals. Tito whole comprehensive scheme—and its comprehensiveness is a merit—may bo blocked because of local objections to a few of the exton ■ sions. It may he pointed out, however, that only £58,000 of the amount of the proposed loan is for new extensions. file great built of the money is required for rolling- stock, buildings and plant, new rolling stock absorbing £100,500, and workshops, machinery and plant £IOB,oGO. The chairman of the board pointed out. that some time must elapse before the whole of tbo programme can bo carried out, ami that the board does not propose to go on the market for the whole of the loan at once. It is probably safe to say that the board contemplates occupying a period three years in accomplishing the scheme which it has marked out. Wo think that tho loan as a whole should receive the support of the ratepayers. It is a progressive scheme, and that which is progressive should be supported by tho citiaons of what is no mean city. It is true that Mr Barr accompanied his exposition of the loan with a warning that .'fares would probably bo increased,- That possibility has been in the air for'so,mo time, but we hope that if has lost its power as a drag on the wheels of progress. The point to he borne in mind is that the object of the scheme is. to make the tramways moro efficient and serviceable, and if that is accomplished tho revenue will bo increased. The system must pay f or itself, and it will eventually do so if it is put m a position in which it can do -enterprising things.