BRITISH EXHIBITION

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1923, Page 2

BRITISH EXHIBITION

NO CHEAPER STEAMER FARES

Very many West Coast residents, like people in other districts, have practically decided to visit the British Empire Exhibition in London next year on the understanding that fares on the Homeward-bound steamers will be considerably reduced. A number, in fact, have come to regard the Exhibition as a favourable opportunity to make a trip to the Old Country and the project took definite form in their minds mainly because the expected reduction in fares will make a holiday in England almost as cheap as one in, say, Australia. Those who have been denying themselves a new suit or a new costume or some similar extravagance in the laudable endeavour to have something “saved” by 1.924 will, therefore, be somewhat disappointed to learn that no reductions will' prevail, and that all statements to- the effect that they would operate have not even the slightest foundation. In view of the statements made in Greymouth last year when the British Empire Mission visited Greymouth, this news is rather surprising. Reference to the report in the “Star” files of July last year shows ‘ that at the meeting in at which the members of the Mission conferred with the general public concerning the prospects of the Exhibition, which they “boosted” rather zealously, Mr. T. B. Baty made an enquiry, after the missioners had expressed tlie hope that there would be a contingent of New Zealand visitors to the Exhibition, as to whether the shipping companies would arrange excursion fares for the trip to England during the Exhibition. ‘“That is a very pertinent question,” replied Major Belcher, (the chief member of the Mission) “and I hope that I shall always he asked it.” The matter had been considered, he continued, but although the companies had not announced the exact fares, he was given to understand that a reduction would be made. He hoped people would keep agitating for it. In casual conversation with shipping men to-day, a reporter was informed far from having “considered the matter” many of the companies had never given it a thought, and were greatly surprised that reductions were expected. The pressman was shown a circular forwarded by , the Shaw Savill and Albion Co., Ltd. to agents stating that no reductions , were to be made. Even more definite , is a similar circular issued by the Orient Steam Navigation Co. to its 3 agents in all parts. This takes the j form of a cablegram, and reads as j follows: “Do not make any conces- i sion off passenger fares to any per- s son or party, official or unofficial, c travelling to British Exhibition, ex- s copt the usual abatement of five per cent, where Government pays the d total passage money.” The decision was made by the Passenger Confer- 1 once in London, and the “usual abate- . ment” refers to an arrangement existing between the company and the Commonwealth Government for the allowance of live per cent, to be made 3 off passages requisitioned by them.

Messrs George Thompson and Co. Ltd. and the White Star line have also instructed their agents that it is not at present the intention of any of the Australian Conference lines to offer any special facilities to passengers proceeding to England for the purpose of visiting the Exhibition. It is stated that the reductions already made arc such as to render further concessions impossible. Enquiries made at the office of the Union Steam Ship Company, who are the Greymouth agents of the New Zealand Shipping Coy., elicited the information that so far the head office of that company has issued no instructions whatever as to whether reductions will be made. It is thought extremely unlikely, however, that it will arrange for concessions in the face of the attitude of the other companies.