THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 58, 7 March 1912, Page 2

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

AtTCKXAWD FASSEWGERB SHUT OUT. UNSATISFACTORY BOOKIMB SYSTEM Considerable dissatisfaction exists in Auckland mid the Dominion generally, concerning the booking arrangements m connection with the Vancouver steamer service. The cause for complaint is mora serious when it is remembered that New Zealand pays a big annual subsidy for the maintenance of this service, \rhil« Australia contributes nothing. Yet Australia is allowed to monopolise both cargo space and passenger accommodation, to the exclusion of New Zealand produce and people. In a .recent issue it was pointed out that New Zealand but ter shipments were shut out because Australia had already chartered all the available accommodation. In this particular rasp, however, it has to be explained that New Zealand producer! were given the rlrst offer of an option over the space, and hesitated too long in closing with it. the result being that more enterprising Australian shippers got in and managed to secure a monoplj over the space available. In the case of passenger accommodation, however, there appears to be sc-.-ie justification for protest upon the part, of New Zealand travellers. One particular case, brought under the notice, of a "Star" reporter this morning, was that of a family in Auckland, desiring to reserve a cabin in the first-clats passenger accommodation for Vancouver. This same family tried to secure a passage in February by the Maknra, but failed- Three weeks ago another attempt was made tr, hook passages by the Zealandia, which loaves Anckland on the l">th of month, ('ablcs sent to Sydney resnlted in an announcement that there was no accommodation of the kind left. 'Hie resalt is that these passengers have now to wait for the Marama to sail in April. Admittedly. February March, and April are t!i» three "season" months on this route, being the most, popular period for travelling across America hut it is urged that there should be S-. .:■ more satisfactory «ystem for the accommodation of New Zealand passengers in preference to Australian, seeing that New Zealand bears the brunt of the subsidy.