IN FIGHTING MOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 656, 7 May 1929, Page 7

IN FIGHTING MOOD

MR. ALLUM HITS HARD “MUZZLED NO LONGER” PLEA FOR TRANSPORT LOAN “I have had the big stick waved at me, but that does not frighten me. I would rather be out of politics for good than have it said I have been serving any one particular interest. “Well, I am out of it now, and I can say straight out that if the Transport Board’s loan proposals fail down on Wednesday it will be the greatest damage Auckland has yet suffered.” JX’ a fighting speech at Mount Roskill last evening, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, put forward an eloquent argument for the carrying of the Transport Board’s loan proposal to-morrow. Feeling himself free in view of his resignation, he hit out right and left at critics of the board’s policy. In an introductory remark, Mr. E. F. Jones, chairman of the Mount Roskill Road Board, who presided, said Mr. Allum’s defeat was the penalty for services well and faithfully rendered. If a man had to resign because he had had an adverse vote in the council election, it was a crying shame. (Hear, hear.) “I have no complaint to make,” said Mr. Allum. “I am a fighter, and not a politician, and I don’t want to be one. If my outspoken views or the performance of what I consider rny duty bring me into conflict with the public, I do not mind. "Some people think Wednesday’s poll is a question of public ownership versus private enterprise,” said Mr. Allum. “I believe in private enterprise. but I am nor. a fool. On this occasion lam fightnig for you. I don't want anybody to go to the poll and not know what he or she is voting aboLit. If you cast your vote against the proposals, you are going to do yourself a great injury. "Now, understand this: Don’t complain in later years that your services are stagnant, that they are inadequate, that they are obsolete, if you fail to-morrow to give your board the money necessary for the development and extension of your undertaking. “Don’t for a moment think the transport system can stand still. Dike any other large business, it must go forward or backward, and by denying authority to raise one or other of the two loans proposed, you are holding back your services.” In a vigorous defence of the board’s policy, the speaker said a lot of criticism had been hurled at the board. If that criticism were bona-fide and constructive it was welcomed, but a great many hard things had been said in anything but good faith. Ratepayers must beware of evil propaganda, and if the Auckland transport undertaking succumbed, the burden would surely fall on the people. UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION

“I am going to be muzzled no longer about the question of unemployment. As chairman of the board, I have refrained from attempting to make unemployment an issue, and so endeavouring to carry the loan,” Mr. Allum proceeded. “But now that I have resigned, I tell you this —it is your lookout if you fail to provide work for 300 men for the next three years at least. Carrying on of construction works will mean a big thing for unemployed workers of this city.” (Hear, hear.) On the financial position, Mr. Allum stated that the undertaking had never cost ratepayers a penny piece, and there was no reason why it should cost a penny. Auckland transport had been through a fight, and it did not matter what had been his part or the part of board members in the fight; but the fact remained that the board had overtaken the losses resulting from the light. “In two years the whole undertaking had been made to "break even” from a loss of £1,200 a week. A Voice: You had the private buses on then. Mr. Allum: I say your own undertaking has been made to pay. The financial prospects were bright, continued Mr. Allum. In Ul years’ time the concern would be relieved of £90,000 a year, at the maturity of the original £1,250,000 loan. The x board had a sinking fund of £426,000, calming 6 per cent., and year by year this fund was being added to, so that when loans fell due there was money to meet them. “Don’t listen to any criticism of your undertaking,” Mr. Allum assured the meeting. “It is safe, it is sound.” The proposed loans would carry a sinking fund of 3 per cent, per annum, and would mature in 20 years. TRAM AND BUS The board’s policy regarding tram and bus was to co-ordinate the services. He did not feel that the trams were the only solution, nor that buses were to be a final outcome. Trams would be used in densely populated areas, and buses in sparse districts. There was no question of the discontinuation of all bus services. The board realised that some routes must be maintained. The board desired to deal justly with private enterprise, but it must be remembered that the public must protect its own property. Detailing the proposed constructions and extensions, Mr. Allum said the management always estimated conservatively when revenue was under consideration. The Dominion Road extension was estimated to lose £ 122 the first year, and show a profit of £267 and £ 440 in the second and third years respectively. Point Chevalier would probably lose £1.064 in the first year, and in the second and third rears show profits of £1.085 and £3.796 respectively. Any service that paid its way after the third year was deemed justified.

ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS “We are seriously short of trams,” Mr. Allum continued, “and we cannot give satisfactory services until we have more and better vehicles. For this we need money, and you must remember we cannot make bricks without straw. It is our intention that the trams shall be built here, thus more work will be provided.” Pointing out the meaning of the two proposals—one of £526.000, and the other of £280,000 —Mr. Allum said the larger embraced the smaller. But ratepayers should vote for both. It was to be understood, however, that only one would be raised. Thus, if the larger were sanctioned, there would be no* need to raise the smaller. If the larger did not commend itself to the people, the second could be approved as an alternative. “Use your heads,” counselled the speaker in conclusion, “and don’t be guided by false propaganda.” Two young men at the back, who had been interjecting sporadically', were incited at question time to air their grievances, but contrai*5 r to expectations they had nothing to say. At the conclusion of his address. Air. Allum was accorded a resolution of thanks. His public service was also similarly recognised.