THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1880. THE CAB AND TRAMWAY DIFFICULTY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2043, 10 September 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1880. THE CAB AND TRAMWAY DIFFICULTY.

The dispute between the Tramway Company and the cabmen as to tbe South belt stand seems as far off settlement as ever. It is true that the City Council, as represented by the Reserves Committee, have been, as it were, acting the part of amicus curiae, but still the matter is in the same position—unsatisfactory enough in all coneience to the public—that it has been for some time past. It seems to us, in considering the position, that the City Council have done wrong by coming int» the matter at all as an assistant at the conference. Both bodies are contemplated by legislation as licensees of the Council. It is true that up to the present the Tramway Company have set both the City By-laws and the Tramway Act at defiance, and have run through the city unlicensed, but, nevertheless, the Company should be licensed. Therefore it at once becomes apparent that the City Council in this matter of dispute is the arbiter between the two parties, and should be in a position to decide what, in the interests of the public, is the best course to be pursued. Instead of taking up this—to our mind the proper and dignified—position, the Council have identified themselves as it wore with the quarrel and made themselves party to the matter instead of a judge. By so doing, not only have they shown a want of dignity, but also weakness in dealing with the question. As before remarked, for some reason which is not apparent on the surface, the Council has always dealt in a most gingerly manner with everything affecting the Tramway Company. The whole course of action in this respect has evinced on their part the tenderest solicitude for the feelings of friends possibly interested in the success of the Tramway. So much then for one of the parties to this triangular duel. Now as to the Tramway Campany. So far as we can gather from what has transpired at these conferences, the Company are prepared to go thus far : That they will take up the rails laid to the eastward of the passenger station, and stop their cars to the westward of the refreshment-room. This will leave the cabmen the right of coming in to the footpath equally in front of the passengor station with the Tramway. The cabmen, however, object to this, that is the deputation did, and stand out for the Tramway cars to be placed in the centre of the road. With every desire to see justice done to the cabmen, and no particular love—on account of the high handed manner in which things have beon carried—for the Tramway Company, it is impossible to shut one's eyes to the fact that this seems a practical and equitable solution of the difficulty. Each get, as they are entitled, a fair share of the advantage of standing at the kerb, and we would desire to point out to the cabmen that even supposing the Tramway were to be placed in the centre of the road —much be it remembered to the inconvenience of the public—it would not make one passengor difference either in gain by the cabs or loss by the Tramway. What, then, do the cabmen gain by their object? Nothing at all. A man having to chooso between paying 3d and Is for riding the same distance will cross a few yards as easily as get in from the kerb. The difference between walking these few yards will not induce them to take a cab in preference, so really the cabmen would be in no better position. But supposing this to be granted, there is another very importamt element which appears somehow during this contention to have been overlooked, and that is the public convenience. The City Council, as the conservators of tho rights of the public are bound to see in this matter that, in so far as is consistent with the rights of tho parties, public convenience and comfort is considered. To make people who desire to ride in the Tramway walk into the middle of the road totally unnecessarily is, to our mind, not studying the public. As we said before, the cabmen will be no better off i£ tho Tram cars have to stop in the middle of <he stroet. It is simply the old old question of the cheapest means of locomotion being bound to receive the greatest amount of patronage, and the people who now go by Tram would continue to do so. Wo contend that the public have had enough and to spare of this bickering. The Council should now assert its right, and not be dictated to either by the Tramway or the cabmen. Tho Council has charge of tho streets, and can alter and prescribe stands both for cabs and tramway. Lot them carefully consider what would be the best for the public, doing justice to both parties, and then fearlessly and

independently carry out. the line of action decided on, undeterred by what the cabmen or Tramway think best from their respective points of view. This, we take it, is the proper course for the Council, as representing the ratepayers, to take up, and if they do this they will receive the hearty support of the public.