Holiday Trams.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20205, 16 January 1934, Page 6

Holiday Trams.

Dear Sir, —Friend G. E. Cooke still comes up smiling and, like Oliver Twist, asks for more despite the fact that he has had not only a few spoonfuls but a few shovelfuls. Once again he dares to tell me to read the papers and see the alterations that have been made in the timetables, but, alas, there is no 90 per cent or 100 per cent about it this time, though I venture to suggest that the negligible alterations made loom up in that light in his eyes. He seems determined to get away from the subject under discussion, and why? Not w’ell enough versed to carry the argument through to a successful issue? Again he asks for my opinion of the entirely erroneous term “free” labourer. Is there such a thing? If there is, and so well-informed an opponent could hardly be wrong, and if it stands for the opposite of 90 per cent of the relief workers, then I am in favour of it. The news that my opponent was a relief worker gave me much food for thought, and the mental picture I have been forced to form of him is one of those who follow the banner blindly and look no further than the glib tongues of the party members will allow them. However, I am always open for correction. Can G. E. Cooke tell me why the Labour Party, now that they have assumed control, keep harping on the fact that they have been left deficit by the previous board? It looks very much to me as though they are getting nearer and nearer the truth I expounded in one of my previous letters—that it takes money to run any business. As regards the reduction in relief workers’ fares: All the board is doing is to add just a little more to their burden, a burden that will be further increased when the end of January arrives and they get a glimpse of the other deficit which must be accruing through the foolhardy policy they have adopted of reducing fares to the seaside. I wonder where G. E. Cooke’s political “ school ” is, for it is remarkable for the way in which he has been misinformed on a number of subjects. He even has the nerve to state that he would have more chance with a howitzer than with a sniper. This savours very much of his 90 per cent reduction in the fares. All his talk, about coming out into the open and being on even is inclined to be a bit wearying. Were I to sign myself X.Y.Z. (an ex-member of the Tramway Board) I would probably not be believed. A final word before parting once more: If G. E. Cooke behaves himself and tries to keep to the points at issue, even allowing him a little latitude in the matter of “ free ” labourers, then we might consider the publication of my name and all that it doesn’t mean, though I must admit that I feel flattered with his insistent demand for it.—l am, etc. WAKE UP.