THE TRAMWAY REGULATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1824, 9 August 1913, Page 5

THE TRAMWAY REGULATIONS.

LOCAL OR STATE CONTROL? The opposition of tho Auckland City Council to several phases of the proposed new tramway regulations was represented by, tho Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) to ■ tho Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W. Fra9er) yesterday. Under these;' regulations it is proposed that tho control of tramways shall bo taken over by the Public Works Department. Mr. Parr pointed out to tho Minister that in order to ensure efficient control' of a tramway 6ystem such as that in Auckland the Department would need to employ fire or six inspectors. He asked whether tho Department was prepared. to faco such an expenditure. He suggested that it would be much better and cheaper for the local bodies in each centre to regulate such matters as timetables, tho, cleanliness of cars, inquiries into complaints against motormen .and conductors, the number of cars required, and other purely local matters. The deed of Agreement between the Auckland Council and the Tramway Company gave the council complete control in matters of this nature. Mr. Parr asked that this power, which was taken awav by tho Hon. R. iFKenzie's Act, should bo restored to the local bodies. Mr. Fraser replied that before taking any steps in this miytter he ha<l decided to oall a oonferenco at which all parties concerned, including tho tramway employees, would bo represented. The regulations would be fully discussed at this conference. Mr. Parr asked whether tho eoope of the conference would, inoludp the consideration of thp v question of whether the Acts passed ; by : the c Hon. : R.'M'Kenzie should be repealed. : The Minister replied that the whole question. would be considered. ,