Cheap Tram Tickets.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 20 April 1934, Page 6

Cheap Tram Tickets.

Dear Sir,—ln last Monday’s issue two letters appeared, one under the heading “ Free Tramway Tickets ” and the other “ Timely Concessions.” As the Canterbury Unemployed Workers’ Association sponsored and led a movement for the granting of “ free rides on the trams for relief workers ” to and from work, it is entitled to some measure of appreciation for the result achieved, namely, an interchangeable tram ticket which is now available to relief workers between the hours of 7 to 8.30 in the morning to their work, and up to 5.30 at night for the homeward journey at a cost of 3d per ticket. Although the delegation to the Tramway Board from the Relief Workers' Association did not achieve its full object, still, a considerable concession has been granted, and where relief workers have to travel long distances in the trams a saving to their pockets of, in some instances, as much as lOd weekly has been effected. In reply to the letter under the heading “ Free Tram Tickets,” we can only say that we fought strenuously for that desirable achievement, but the board did not grant it and we had to accept the next best thing. With regard to the second letter, in which the writer (very possibly through ignorance of the facts) thanks the Tramway Board for concessions granted, we do not quarrel with him for that, but for his enlightenment we want it clearly understood that at least three delegations from the Unemployed Workers’ Association at different periods interviewed the Tramwav Board on the particular question, but the results achieved were far from satisfactorv for various reasons, which need not be entered into now. To finalise matters and to point out to the Tramway Board the dissatisfaction existing at their decision to grant a 4d concession ticket to relief workers, a further deputation from the association again interviewed the board just before the Easter holidays, with the result alreadv known In passing, it might be as w’ell to state that Mr Archer personally congratulated this particular delegation on the way they handled the case. All questions asked by members of the board were (in the opinion of the chairman) satisfactorily answered by the delegation’s two speakers and. quoting Mr Archer's own words. “ undoubtedly a ’strong case has been put forward. and the board would investigate a^P ect thoroughly.” The Unemployed \\ orkers’ Association does not want to take away from the present Tramwav Board any credit which might be theirs for making possible these reduced fares but in conceding this, we ask that this errd, should be rightfully apportioned and thaas an association we have fought for bent fits regarding tram fares for relief worke* since the first week the Labour TranrwaBoard took office. Mai- we conclude with the fervent hope that the relief workers of this citv and surrounding districts will rallv round their job delegates and the new executive of their association and bring their grievances to the right quarter where thev » . r , ous?h, X investigated and everv effort will be made through the proper channels to rectify am- case where the workers have been victimised or badlv treated.—T am. etc., PRESS COMMITTEE Canterbury Unemployed Workers Assn.