CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 200, 24 August 1945, Page 4

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

"TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT*

To the Editor

It is 15 years since I was last in Auckland, and I cannot say that I am impressed with what those ]s years have done to your city. I confine my. criticism to two inci. dents—one in a restaurant where I waited 35 minutes to have my order taken and walked out in disgust at the. end of that period, the other in one of your trams, where, as a com. plete stranger, I asked the conductor if I was on the route taking me back to town. He was about as courteous and helpful as if I had asked him to explain the technicalities of the atom bomb. For the rest I must say that I find everything dear beyond all reason. Service apparently does not exist. In bringing these trivialities to your notice it is not my motive to blackguard your city be. cause of two isolated incidents causing me, a mere visitor, some discomfort, but as one who takes part on occasions in fostering interest in the tcurist traffic I would just like to say that some of your people in the public service here are poor ambassadors. One hears much these days about New Zealand's prospects regarding the tourist trade. We are alleged to be deficient in all sorts of amenities, notably first-class hotels The root of the problem. I fear, goes far deeper than that. In essence it is this "Take it or leave it" attitude among the public servants that is most at fault. The war did not cause rationing of common courtesy or the will to please. The plain fact of the matter is that the working class is far too arrogant and far too independent. lam only a working man myself, here on a holiday with my wife my first in eight years. I bookei my railway passage some three weeks ago, paying over £20 in fares treating myself to a first class ticket the first time in my life. The Railway Department double-booked our seats. At Auckland I am now told that the Department will graciously condescend to take me home provided I travel second class. No apology, no suggestion that my first class fare will be refunded! I can take it or leave it. So much for a Departmental contract. If private enterprise took money in similar circumstances, private enterprise would be in Queer Street. DISGUSTED.