TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11481, 14 January 1903, Page 5

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Sir,—The leading article in your paper this morning contains a much needed word of warning as to the coming election of a Tramway Board. Judging by what 1 read there is "danger that the Socialistic portion of the community will seize the occasion to press forward Us fatish, and probably smother the considerations which should guide us ail 111 the selection of so important v. body.

If men "of integrity, with clear business heads, are selected, surely the public can trust them to evolve the best scheme for ihe construction and conduct of the proposed tram service. I cannot conceive that it would be possible to select any body of men in this city that would dream of handing over the" proposed service*to any company for any very lengthy period, and if it did dream of such a thing public opinion is, I think, strong enough to dispel it. Admitting this position, then would it not been well to leave the new Board with unfettered hands to work out the best scheme its wisdom may dictate. Its doings will be always open to the public eye, and that is a sure safeguard.

All this must not be understood as in opposition to municipal control. It is merely an appeal to leave the course clear for those whom the public elect to trust.

Were I inclined to argue for company control the evidence is to hand. Where in all Australasia is there a better train service than the cable system in vogue in Melbourne, and that has been in existence longer than any other up-to-date tram system in the colonies. Yours, etc., ANDREW DAVIES.