TRAMWAY ACCIDENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 16 October 1913, Page 6

TRAMWAY ACCIDENTS.

DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE,

I - IMMEDIATE LEGISLATIQN DEMANDED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.} WELLINGTON, Last Night. A long discussion took place in the House otf Representatives this afternoon concerning tram cars with footboards. The question arose over the bringing nip of a resolution by the Hon. W. Fraser td set up a committee to go into the matter of preventing a recurrence of the lamentable accidents occurring t» conductors on tramways. Mr Davey objected to delay in the matter. He contended that the setting up of a committee would hold up an alteration in the present deplorable state of .affairs, which allows men to be maimed and killed week after week. Sir Joseph Ward failed to see why the House should delay in that anost 'vital matter. He moved an amendment to the .effect that the House is of opinion that human life is of more importance than, the convenience of the Wellington City Council, and that immediate steps .should be taken to prevent loss of life. The Hon. W. Fraser said the al- | terations to the cars could not be I carried out at once. If that were attempted, there would bo a dislocation I of the service, and the throwing out of' employment of many men would follow. ■. ; ■ \ . I Several members advocated the passing of legislation giving the Government power to refuse to license or allow to run any cars which were dajigeroras to those having to work them. Mr Davey asked if the Wellington i l City Council had kept faith with the? Minister about a year ago. Hon. W. Fraser: No, they did not! Mr Davey: They never will. ;i Hon. W. Fraser: We will make them. Mr Davey: Well, once would begood enough for me. The Hon. W. : Fraser said there was no power to refuse to allow cars to run. Mr Davey: We can do anything. iMr Fraser asked leave to withdraw his resolution. He would, he said, prepare a Bill providing that no cars 1 should be allowed to run on New Zealand lines which endangered the lives of those working them, three months after the passing oif the Act. He would further insist on so many cars being converted each month. • * After further discussion, the motion was talked out.