VISIT OF AUSSIES

Evening Star, Issue 23352, 23 August 1939, Page 7

VISIT OF AUSSIES

CONSIDERABLE SHIPPING DIFFICULTIES “j " TRIP MAY BE ABANDONED OR CURTAILED The proposed visit of 'a contingent of Australian ex-servicemen next year ■to the Dominion, returning the visit of New Zealand ex-servicemen to Sydney in 1938, may be abandoned or greatly curtailed as a result of difficulties that have arisen, over transport across the Tasman. The latest number of ‘ Reveille,’ the official organ of the New South Wales branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, state*: “ Because of the high scale of fares laid down for the transport of a contingent of Australian war veterans to New Zealand for the Anzac Day services next year, interest has definitely waned in States other than in N.S.W., said the president of the league (Mr L. A. Robb), in a report to the State Council of the league. “ The original approach of the league, ho mentioned, was for the engagement of the Monowai aud Maimganui from the Union Company, but haring tested out the feeling of the league branches in other States, it was felt that the league could not meet the guarantees required for the engagement of those two vessels, and was n&w negotiating with the company on the basis of chartering the Katoomba only. “The Union Company has been asked to quote fares which would apply on the ■ Katoomba, which, however, would hot be able to accommodate, more than 500 paisserigers. No difficulty, it is anticipated, will be experienced in filling this ship, and the question of ejfaess application will be dealt with when the position arises. “The fares quoted by the Union Cwnpany for the Maunganui' and the Mtnowai were £3l 10s first class, £24 10s second class, and £l9 for hammocks and bunks. In all, both vessels would have accommodation for 1,323 passengers. The Union Company stipulated that every berth must be booked or the league pay the deficiency. The obligation of- hooking the passengers, collecting their fares, issuing their tickets, and paying over the total collection to the Union Company also devolved upon league. “ While the league recognised that the, Union, Company quote was a, reasohable one in the light that the Mauriganui and the Monowai would have to make'the journey from New Zealand aud return empty, it felt that the scale of fares was beyond the reach of the average wage-earner, particularly w%en compared with the ordinary fares charged on the Tasman services. / “In the words of Mr Robb, * the matter of the tour stands in abeyance until such time as notification of the new fares in regard to the Katoomba is received:’ If the Katoomba is to be chartered her owners, it is stated, must he definitely notified by the end of September, so that they could make the necessary arrangements for the vessel’s withdrawal from the trade in which she is at present employed.”