HALF FARES FOR CHILDREN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 14

HALF FARES FOR CHILDREN.

RAILWAY PRIVILEGE. EXTENSION SUGGESTED. Whether * representations should bo made to the Eailway Department for extending the half-faro concession on the railways to children up to 14 years of age was the subject of a discussion at the meeting of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening. The discussion was prompted by a circular letter from the Gore Chamber of Commerce, which stated that the present fares were half-price for children up to 12 years of age, and it was submitted at a geieral meeting of the Chamber that the concession should be extended by raising the age to 14 years inclusive, as the child of 14 years was in no better position to pay than the ebild of five years. The fares during school age had to be found by the parents, and the demand by the Department for a full fare seemed, under such circumstances, excessive. The Gore Chamber asked that the Cantorbury Chamber give the suggestion consideration. If its views were favourable it was suggested that the Chamber should communicate direct with the Minister for Railways advocating the proposed reform. "The railways are not paying now," remarked Mr J. Mac Gibbon. "How can you ask for more concessions! The railways are already a tax on the people, and if you give further reductions you will increase the deficit." Ho moved: "That this Council regrets that it cannot accept the recommendation." The motion was seconded by Mr H. Chapman, who said that the railways had recently made a very great concession in allowing as many children under 12 as there were in one family to travel for a single fare. "That is to say, that a mother, a father, and a family of ten can travel on three tickets," remarked another member.

Mr V, W. Hobbs said that if fares were cheaper the Railway Department might get more children travelling. Instead of being a losing proposition it might be a gain to the Department. He moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the Transport Committee. Mr Mac Gibbon agreed to withdraw his motion and second the amendment, which accordingly became the motion and wis carried.