NAPER FARES

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1926, Page 5

NAPER FARES

j 1 r-'P BRITISH MIGRANTS J AUSTRALIAN REBUFF. -JOKE AMENABLE ATTITUDE. (Received 11.6 a.m.) * LONDON, February 17. The Imperial migration authorities welcome the apparently changed attitude towards cheapened migration indicated by Mr. S. M. Bruce’s pronouncement, also by Australian nevlspaper comments.

Referring to press comparisons between Australian and New Zealand migration fares, the authorities point out that the Australian Government turned down the. Overseas Settlement Committee's offer to increase its contributions for the purpose of approximating Australian to New Zealand fares, under which more favourable passages would fee granted, not only to yobths and girls, but also to single men.

Notwithstanding this repulse, the committee, when submitting its 1925’26 estimates, included £IOO,OOO to-' wards cheaper passages, subject to Australia participating. The British Treasury turned down the proposal, partly because Australia had already not accepted the New Zealand standard, but principally because the Economy Committee insisted, on the grounds of retrenchment, on postponing the proposal to next year.

It is authoritatively learned that the Imperial authorities would welcome Australian co-operation in reduced fares, but in view of the Economy Committee’s attitude they are unable to make overtures themselves.—A. and N.Z.