Reluctant To Take Bookings

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30768, 4 June 1965, Page 1

Reluctant To Take Bookings

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 3. Members of the Travel Agents’ Association have been reluctant to accept bookings for the Dutch liner Maasdem, coming to Wellington this year, because of the possible cancellation of the agency under clause 13, by the Conference Lines..

The president of the association (Mr C. L. Barker) told representatives from

both the North and South Island, this at a meeting yesterday. He said he had taken the matter up with the Miister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) as an unfair trade practice. “The answer the Government gave us was that they did not consider it was,” he said. Mr Barker said agents had had several meetings with the principals of the Conference Lines, includig Mr F. D. Harris (Shaw Savill), Mr T. S. Marchington (New Zealand Shipping) and Mr F. K. Macfarlane on taking bookings for the Maasden. “Th'e companies have communicated with their London office and we have subsequently been informed that

clause 13 must apply,” he said. “We have signed an agreement (clause 13) with the Conference Lines whereby we must advise them if we book for such a vessel,” said Mr Barker. “If we do not advise them we have no comback as they cancel an agency. “Our association should press to have the matter rectified.” The Conference Lines were probably opposing the Holland America line operating the Maasden on a one-trip-a-year basis but could change their attitude if she was coming more often, he said. The association decided to ask the Holland-America line whether they intended instituting a regular and more frequent service.