IRISH FREE STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17839, 11 October 1929, Page 9

IRISH FREE STATE.

THE TRAMWAY STRIKE

GALWAY AS AIR PORT. (From a Correspondent.) DUBLIN, August 25. The redundancy of our metropolitan traffic services is well illustrated by the tramway strike. The men have now been out for ten days and on the whole the public have suffered but slight inconvenience. On many important routes buses, trains, and trams formerly ran but partly filled, and all three losing money. Now, except at rush hours, the buses and trains are not unduly overcrowded. In spite, therefore, of what our “rationalists” may say about overlapping, waste and cut-throat competition, the public is being well served by the more flexible methods of private enterprise. In the meantime the cry goes up for somebody to do something, oblivious of the fact that it sometimes is a wise policy to let things evolve, and that, far from being a sign of weakness, it often takes a strong man to do nothing. It is both to the interest of masters and men to reach a settlement, ami the company has only taken the action it did take—viz., to propose a 10 per cent, cut in wages, after it had passed its interim dividend and all other possible economies had been made.

It is suggested that a compromise may be found on the question of way leaves, which cost the company some £84,000 a year. it certainly docs seem anomalous that the company should be compelled to maintain all the roadway between the lines. This obligation was undertaken in days when the tramway company enjoyed a virtual monopoly. Now it maintains a roadway for its competitors. Unfortunately for the company its franchise was renewed only five years ago, just when the bus menace was beginning but before it bad assumed alarming proportions.

Road Maintenance. The suggestion is now offered that the road fund and ratepayers should jointly relieve the company of the road maintenance in return for which the tramways would be taxed on seating accommodation like buses. This probably does not commend itself to the City Commissioners, who naturally look solely to the interest of the ratepayers, and have the company clearly and contractually bound. It is argued that if the tramways were to close down altogether and concenti’ate entirely on buses, as might be done if capital were sufficient, the ratepayers would be saddled with a heavy additional burden. On the other hand, it must be remembered that the trams in the centre of the city, especially at the Trinity College corner, add greatly to the traffic congestion, and that the j Commissioners might not be sorry to j see them altpgether off the streets. It is a difficult problem, and as tile public are suffering but slight inconvenience, and the city is much quieter, it may bo the wisest course to leave both parties alone for the present.

Air Mall Service. On Monday next an air service with great possibilities will be inaugurated. Colonel Russell, formerly head of our national air service, is to fly from Galway to London with mails from America and back the same day to catch the outgoing mail to the Stales. This will save more than one day in the mail sei'vice between New York and London, and may mai’k the real revival of Galway as a transatlantic port, which it was in the old windjammer days. It is a depressing sight to see this city to-day, with every sign of former greatness, now only picturesque in its dilapidation. This venture naturally fosters the hope that Galway may also become a landing-place for passengers, who would save several hours on their journey to London and might be persuaded to visit Ireland on the way. Some go as far as to condemn the railway company for precipitate action in singling the line between Galway and Dublin.

Whatever Ga’way may become as an air port it is improbable it will attract the “ground” services.- Very few passengers arc in so great a hurry to reach London or Europe that they will incur the discomfort of two transhipments and a night journey. Those who are really in a hurry will probably lly, and more normal beings, j having won their sea legs, and made their friends, will remain comfortably on their ship. Even as an air port the future is hardly assured, as with mechanical progress planes will take off from the ships in greater numbers.

Clvto Week. Preparations are advancing well for the Civic Week from September 7 to ii. A well-got-up publication will shortly appear with drawings of many tine buildings by local artists and with articles on the city's history and commercial activities. An all-white boating palace very similar to the film pictures of the “Show Boat” is already moored above Butt Bridge. This will add to the already ample facilities for dancing. Some people are inclined to deride these civic and shopping weeks as mere stunts organised by the local shopkeepers to increase the interchange of “washing,” with no serious or productive end. This is not entirely true. In Dublin, at any rate, it has the effect of making people take a pride in their property. There are fewer dirty windows than of old; at the present moment there is marked activity in outside painting, and even Hie litter in St. Stephen’s Green is being coliected. The proposed pageant is educational. Sir Thomas Beccham will conduct, some concerts of good music, and there will be lectures at our galleries. The museums and public libraries will be visited by large numbers, and if last year’s experience is any guide the guarantors will not incur any liability. Even without trams it may be a success.

An Irish Memorial. Some weeks ago a memorial was erected to the memory of the two men who murdered Sir Henry Wilson. The event was made the occasion of a demonstration by a certain political section, and though little notice was taken in the local papers publicity was given in papers abroad. Owing to reports about the wording of the inscription 1 visited yesterday the cemetery, and found that the memorial consists of a dignified limestone Celtic cross in form over a plot in which no bodies are actually interred. With the exception of the words, “Wandsworth Prison,” the composition was entirely in Irish, which none of the cemetery employees could translate. An Irish speaker of repute living near by was away from home. Copying the letters to tiie best of my ability I obtained a translation in Dublin, and found that the memorial was erected to a Captain of Irish Volunteers and an Irish Volunteer who gave their lives for Ireland 1 in England, “Wandsworth Prison," in i 922. - '