AIR LINK WITH MELBOURNE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26441, 7 June 1951, Page 3

AIR LINK WITH MELBOURNE

CRITICISM OF FARE VIEWS OF CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE Criticism of the fare announced for the air passage between Melbourne and Harewood, was made by members of the Canterbury Progress League at a meeting last evening. It was considered that all the South Island was interested in the matter, and it was decided to protest against the high fare, and also to refer the matter to the South Island Local Bodies Association. \ The distance between Melbourne and Christchurch was the same as that between Sydney and Perth, and the fare between Sydney and Perth was considerably less, said Mr H. E. Radley. The fare between Sydney and Wellington was only £2B 10s, while the fare to Christchurch was £A44. “The Melbourne service may be condemned before it starts, and I do not think it is giving the service a fair chance,” he added. “It almost appears that an excuse is being made to make this service pay for the losses on others,’ said the president (Mr W. F. McArthur) in supporting the protest. Mr R. McGillivray said he had been advised from Australia'that people there were extremely disappointed at the high fare, “They say that there are firms in Australia who are willing to do it for £N.Z.23 or £A.30,” he said. He considered that the league should take the matter up with the Government, and not the airline authorities.