COST OF TRAVEL

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 101, 23 January 1933, Page 8

COST OF TRAVEL

Surcharge of 30 Per Cent.

CONCESSIONS WIPED OUT

Passenger fares from New' Zealand to England with the increase in the exchange rate New Zealand on London, now carry a surcharge of 30 per cent., as against 15 per cent, in force until yesterday. This is made up of 25 per cent, on the exchange rate and 5 per cent. Government passenger tax. On January 5 the shipping companies announced fairly drastic cuts in the passenger fares in the first and cabin classes, both via Panama and via Australia. These cuts, which it was hoped would stimulate travel, have now been wiped out, the new fares being in some cases above the pre-cut rates, and in others slightly below them. Tourist and third-class fares, in which no cuts were made bear the full brunt of the increase.

The following examples, giving the advertised fare, the fare plus the 15 per cent, surcharge, and plus the new 30 per cent, surcharge, will give some idea of the huge increase in ' the cost of travel due to the adverse exchange rate and Government tax.

First-class minimum, f 85; plus 15 per cent., £97/15/-; plus 30 per cent., £llO/10/-. Cabin class minimum, £67; plus 15 per cent., £77/1/-; plus 30 per cent., £B7/2/-. Tourist and third-class at £4O; plus 15 per cent., £46; at 30 per

cent, £52. In the New Zealand-American services fares have also increased. These, however, are fixed at fortnightly intervals, London on New York, and London on Montreal, having to be taken into account as well as New Zealand on London.