THE TRAMWAYS BOARD.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11486, 20 January 1903, Page 5

THE TRAMWAYS BOARD.

REPLIES TO THE TRADES' AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The following ad<&tional repHea have been received to tbe cdroulax cent out by tbe Trade*' «ad Labour Council:— (

MB A. BEATEN.

(1) The district electric tramways must be supplied with a full installation of new and up-to-date rolling stock for the usual everyday requirements of the traffic. We should not forget, however, that in addition to possible requirenteote before the ekctrio cars are running, t<hat on six days of the year tie traffic i* abnormal. In the interests ©f the public,- 1 should advocate taking over, at a price fair to both parties, ot the present rolling stock, in order that it may be utflined to avoid the usual overcrowding on Show Day and otbtr holidays. ' The purchase of entirely new plant to be held 1 in reaexve during the 359 other days would be a waste of money. (2 and 4) If the Board undertook themselves , directly the construction of the separate parts < f the lines and plant, the expense would be abnormal, and the public and ratepayers suffer. The management must be in the interests of, and for the bentfit of, the district as a whole. The -Board must secure the highest-ckes expert knowledge, permanent way, power, rolling stock, ■ and plant, whtre that is best obtainable. I should , prefer colonial production* if equally efficient. - My twenty years' work on the Industrial Association Committee, and dt their three local industrial exhibitions, should be evidence of my dee-re to help local industries. (3 and 5) A Court of Arbitration line been set up, I think, in the interests of labour generally, that theae matters can be lefs*"to that tribunal. A number of voters are. under the impression that tha hours of polling in connection with tie Tramways Board election are tha saw as those at a Parliamentary election; this i<3 not »o, the houra of polling being from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It has been stated in several quarters tha* Mr T. H. Davey, M.H.R., intended withdrawing hie candidature for a seat on the Board, but Mr Davey states that thit is not the case.