DANGEROUS CARS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 6

DANGEROUS CARS.

It is a great pity that the Leader of tho Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) should have gone out of his way yesterday afternoon in order to make a party question of the proposal to introduce legislation with the object of converting side-step tramcars into central passage type. The whole House was in agreement that such legislation was necessary, the only difference of opinion being as to the most expeditious and effective method of bringing about the desired change. The Hon. W._ Fraser expressed the view that it would be advisablo to refer the matter to a committee to collect certain information before bringing in a Bill, But Mr. Davey, who may be regarded as -tho pioneer in the agitation against side-step tramcars, very reasonably pointed out that this might causv too much delay. The discussion was proceeding in the best possible spirit until Sir Joseph Ward intervened with a hysterically worded amendment to Mr. Fraser's motion to appoint a committee. The amendment singled out tho Wellington City Corporation for special attack, ignoring the fact that the sidestep cars aro also in use in Christchurch. The party element at once began to show itself, diverting the discussion from the real point by the introduction of irrelevant matters. Mr. Fraser- promised to bring in a Bill which would _ fix a time within which the conversion of tho cars must be completed, and even offered to withdraw his motion if Sir Joseph Ward would withdraw the amendment, but the latter interjected: "I won't mino." The result was that much time was wasted in discussing matters about which everyone was agreed, for, as the Prime Minister stated,, all were anxious to do all that was possible to make the cars safe for the men employed on them. Eventually the Minister withdraw his motion, and Sir Joseph Ward's was allowed to proceed. The Prime Minister moved an amendment to it, but did not press it, as Mr. Davey came forward with tho following proposal, which met the position more satisfactorily

"That in view of the large number of accidents, many proving fatal, which havo resulted from the use of footboards on tramway carriages, this House is of opinion that such carriages 6hould bo provided with a passageway from end to end of the cars within a period of six months from date, and that tlie Government bo strongly urged to introduce legislation. to give effect to thia resolution." Sir Joseph Ward was not at all satisfied with the now turn which tho debate had now taken, and accused Mr. Davey and the Prime Minister of having consulted together for tho purpose of circumvonting his motion, but Mr. Davey denied that anything of the sort had occurred. This discussion then dragged on, and the question was eventually talked out, Mr. Buddo being on his feet when the' hour for adjournment (5.30' p.m.) arrived. • Neither tho motion nor the amendment was therefore carried, but Mr. Fraser announced that ho would lose no time in carrying out his promise to bring down legislation very shortly to provide for the conversion of the cars within a limited period. It is pleasing to note that the Minister gracefully conceded to Mr. Davey the credit that is undoubtedly his due for the manner in which he has interested himself in this matter.