Tramway Election.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 929, 25 November 1933, Page 8

Tramway Election.

Dear Sir,—The Labour Party have opened their Riccarton campaign On behalf of Mr Thurston by the astounding statement that the present board are doing everything to damage the sj’stem. But the facts are that the board stood between the public and the tramway employees who refused to carry out their duties; they have brought the board’s finance through the most trying three years that New Zealand has ever felt without having to strike a rate; and they have so arranged the future finance that a saving of £II,OOO a year will be made. The statement displays an utter ignorance of the position and the persons making it display a want of judgment certainly not competent to be trusted with the management of the large funds committed (by the users of the trams) to the board. Mr Thurston backs up the secretary, who made the awful mistake of calling men out on strike, forgetting the interests of the public and that trade unionists only represent one-tenth of the workers of the Dominion. He complains that Sunday fares have been increased, but omits to say this is caused because so much extra rate of pay has to be paid. The old boards for the last twenty years have tried many experiments of lowering fares, running in. creased services, but have always found! that decreased receipts in comparison with the expenses have resulted. The decreaaa in passengers he has so much to say aboufc is owing to the bad times we have bee% passing through, and all other railway ap* tramway services have passed through a similar time with a decreased number of passengers. I use the trams a great doal and the present employees are evidently* a very happy set of men lyho give excellent service to the public and are satisfied, aa the recent agreement between them and the board shows.—l am. etc., EXPERIENCED.