CONTROL OF TRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1921, Page 5

CONTROL OF TRAMS.

NEW REGULATIONS PROPOSED. ADD TO WORKING COSTS. The objections raised by the controlling authorities of tramway systems to the proposed amended regulations which have been brought down by the Public Works Department were dealt with by the New Plymouth tramways manager (Mr. R. H. Bartley) in a report received at lust night’s meeting of the Borough Council. After stating that he had attended a conference between the Public Works Minister, tramway authorities, and Employees’ Federation, Mr. Bartley said that at a preliminary meeting the delegates representing the administrative bodies were unanimous in their condemnation of the proposed regulations. It was thought, however, that in the event of it not succeeding that it would be well to draw up an amended set of regulations which would be workable without great inconvenience and expense. Five delegates were appointed to voice the opinion of the conference before the Minister. Mr. Wright, the Mayor of Wellington, introduced the. deputation, and in his remarks pointed out that the effect the regulations would have on the Wellington service would be that they would need to expend £90,000 in additional cars, plus the cast of housing. He was quite frank in his remark that Wellington had decided that if the regulations were carried a further increase in fares would be necessary, and as this was out of the question the only course to follow was to reduce the wages to make up the difference, and they would do it. It wae stated by the Dunedin representative that the speed schedule alone would mean at least an increase of £ll,OOO per year to that system, and it is certain that these increases will seriously affect the whole of the undertakings in about the same proportion, and according to their sizes. Likewise the Government will be put to a good deal of expense in establishing a new department to carry out all the inspections that were proposed, unless this was put on to the separate undertakings in the way of license fees, which will simply make the above position worse. These matters were all made very clear, together with the fact that on account of * the present financial position of the undertakings the time for introducing such regulations as suggested was not opportune. “No ruling was given on the various points by the Minister or the Public Works engineer, and one could only conjecture as to the result,” the report continued. “My opinion, however, is that the regulations will be brought into force almost at once, with the exception perhaps of one or two of the most drastic, which may be delayed for say twelve months. This opinion may be wrong. I hope it is, but it is formed on the attitude adopted by those concerned. There is one thing certain, however and that is if the regulations are brought into force many of them at the present stage can never be carried out.”

In reply to Cr. Brown, the engineer said the cost to the New Plymouth tramways if the new regulations were enforced would be about £2OOO per year. The council decided that no further action could be taken, except to record a further protest if the regulations Were enforced.