TRAMS AND THE WORKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 March 1927, Page 8

TRAMS AND THE WORKERS

Sir,— " Observe the thoughtful and paternal consideration of the City Fathers for the workers of the city, whom they so frequently exhort to get out into the suburbs, where they will get plenty of fresh air for their children and plenty of room to grow vegetables to supplement the food supply, which is necessarily limited by the aforesaid workers’ wages. The buses came, they ran the workers out to the far suburbs, compelling the trams to reduce fares to the same scale, and the workers bought suburban homes—at values inflated by a cheap service which was to prove transitory. Then the City Fathers took over the buses, under what Councillor Phelan reminded the City Council was a “half promise” not to raise tram fares after it had obliteratedcompetition and regained its monopoly—and seized the first opportunity to break its implied agreement. Fares over long distances are to be increased, and, automatically, the value of the worker’s suburban home is to be decreased, j whch is rubbing in the salt on the lash wounds of higher transport , charges. Thank heavens a munici- ; pal election is looming, when, if the ! democratic electors of this city i have regained their senses. Labour** representation in the City Council will be strengthened. SUBURBAN WORKER. %