In the Referendum on Wednesday, Winnipeg electors stated emphatically that they want the mass transit facilities of the metropolitan area owned and operated by the people of Greater Winnipeg.

Those who voted left no doubt that they would far rather see the option on the tram system exercised by the city and the suburbs, than take a chance on the system falling into the hands of outsiders who might abuse it to make quick gains.

THe percentage of voters casting their ballots was one of the smallest on record. The turnout of 22.8 per cent of eligible voters was certainly the lowest since proportional representation was introduced into civic elections in 1921. Unquestionably there was an element of rebuff to the Winnipeg City Council in this vote. Winnipeggers are getting tired of being asked to make decisions for City Council.

But the small vote was also a reflection of the lack of interest on the part of many citizens about getting into the transit business. Public ownership of the tram system was widely regarded as merely the lesser of two evils.

It now remains for City Council to get busy and negotiate a deal acceptable to both the city and the suburban municipalities. Council should also tidy up the draft bill to set up a metropolitan transit commission. The clauses providing for continuation of the five per cent tax on the gross earnings of the system should be deleted out of hand.

The purpose of the commission should be to provide adequate mass transit at cost. Council should give up any idea of levying a special tax on tram riders. And that is precisely what the gross earnings tax is. Moreover, the city should give up the tax it is levying this year on the power used to operate street cars and trolley buses.

At the same time the Manitoba government should be willing to forgo its gasoline tax on the fuels used to operate motor buses operated by the publicly-owned Greater Winnipeg tram system.

After all, the Dominion will give up its right to levy corporation taxes on the new utility.