KILLING THE GOOSE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 68, 20 March 1919, Page 4

KILLING THE GOOSE.

The proposal that visitors to Devonport should be taxed to beautify the suburb, and increase the attractions of the beaches is, we imagine, unique. In England, on the {Continent, in America, all places offering any marine attractions are in active competition to entice the patronage of the city dweller. With this end in view money is spent lavishly to enhance the endowment nature has provided; and the effort to improve facilities for transport and cheaper fares is unremitting. Towns and suburbs blessed with popular bathing beaches have invariably jealously guarded these as their greatest assets. The whole community benefits either directly or indirectly from their existence. It

opens up an entirely new vista of thought to find any body of men of opinion that visitors from outside the municipal boundaries should be taxed. The resident of Devonport has luxuriated in probably the cheapest transit existing anywhere, whereas the return fare for the casual passenger has been higher than in any place of which we have knowledge. It is this high fare that has allowed the maintenance of the family tickets at such low rates, and this knowledge has no doubt been in the past a source of irritation to families who have enjoyed at intervals a day at the Shore. Of course, if the resident across the water regards the tired mother from the crowded city areas out for the day with her brood playing around her as a nuisance, or the party of young city I people who favour Cheltenham for a picnic and bathe as intolerable intruders, there is nothing more to be said. This much is certain, that if the people of Xorth Shore really do favour a plan to penalise the day tripper, even if with the intention of using the taxation for the improvement of the beaches and areas which he or she uses, we will in a very short space of time see the borough stagnate. There are many ways in which the municipality can secure revenue from its visitors by the institution of attractions and conveniences on the beaches; but to make these adequately revenue producing the first thing is to cheapen transit. We do not think that it is necessary to stress this matter further, . or-do'vve expect to refer to it again, for the reason that we cannot imagine that ! North Shore is really desirous of being i i unique in wishing to make it as dear as possible for the public to enjoy her undoubted holiday attractions.