FARES TO EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18471, 7 August 1923, Page 9

FARES TO EXHIBITION.

CHEAP PASSAGES SOUGHT.

STATE URGED TQ ACT:

CHARTER OF STEAMERS.

[BSJ telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.* \ CHUKCH.; Monday. The question of reduced passenger fares for New Zealandfers visiting the British Empire Exhibition was discussed by the Canterbury District Committee to-day, and a motion was agreed to asking the Government to make inquiries as to the chartering of passenger vessels. The Dominion- Advisory Council reported that information had been received from, the shipping companies that a reduction of fares would not be made. The secretary of the Canterbury District Committee, Mr. D. J. Schmitt, said the committee had written to a number of Canterbury local bodies and associations asking them to make representations to the shipping companies regarding reduced fares. The Christchurch City Council's representatives had waited oh the shipping companies and had been " turned down." The chairman, Mr. N. M. Orbell:. It seems that all our resolutions are : having no effect on • the shipping companies. They seem to have made up their minds. The (secretary said he thought it would be a great pity to relax the agitation. Other British Dominions would be arranging for cheap fares and many would go. -.;••-."..'. Mr. W. H. Nicholson said that instead of endeavouring to get the shipping companies to make a rebate on passages already booked—ftor that was ■ about what it amounted they should ask the Government' to charter boats and ' give passages at prices that would ensure the charter being paid for. This would enable passengers to , get passages at the lowest possible rate. It seemed to him a case "where the Government could do very good work. • The chairman.: Do you propose two-; class boats ? Mr. Nicholson said that was a matter that could be arranged after the char- j ter was made. He moved: That it be a recommendation from this committee that the Government should make inquiries as to the possibility of chartering passenger boats." ; Another member remarked that there should be no difficulty in getting cheap charters, seeing that the American Shipping Board had so many vessels idle. The motion was adopted.