THE TRAMWAYS BILL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12398, 20 December 1909, Page 7

THE TRAMWAYS BILL.

CURTAILMENT OF LOCAL

POW rERS

A CENTRALISING MEASURE

Although the Tramways Amendment Bill which has been introduced by the Minister for Public Works has been specially framed to meet the position that has arisen in connection with the Auckland tramway brakes it contains provisions of a general nature which seriously affect the existing powers of all local" authorities in regard to the control of tramways. The Bill, like that introduced by the Government two years ago, proposes to materially curtail the powers of the local authorities by giving to the Government increased nowers in regard to the tramway system. The bodies that are chiefly affected of course aro the Auckland, W^-ellingtoiij Christchurch and Dunedin City Councils. In all the cities except' Auckland the tramways are owned by the municipalities, but the powers of these bodies, as well as those of the Auckland City Council, wall be materially clipped by this centralising measure. Under the existing Tramways Act, the promoters of a tramway, including local authorities, are given, power to regulate the number of passengers that may be carried on each tram car, and also for regulating the speed, and the distances at which one car may follow another. The new Bill, however, proposes to take away this power as defined under deeds of delegations and Orders-in-Council, and to transfer it to the Government, the local by-laws to remain in force only until the Government regulations in regard to the matters specified are brought into force. As already stated, the licensing of cars is also proposed to be transferred to the Government "Tiicre will soon be nothing left for us to do with our tramways but to collect the fares" was the comment that has been rjassed upon the Bill by a member of the Wellington City Council in conversation with your representative this evening. The Wellington City Council is arranging for a deputation to wait on the Minister for Public Works on Monday morning next, for the nurpose of placing the views of the local authorities before him. The Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin City Councils have been communicated with in regard to joining in the deputation or being represented thereat. It is very unlikely that the Bill will pass in its'present form. •