ACUTE PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24537, 20 March 1943, Page 6

ACUTE PROBLEM

ACCOMMODATION NEEDS TRAVELLERS' DIFFICULTIES Accommodation for the travelling public in Auckland, as in Wellington, is becoming more and more a problem. Persons arriving without having made hotel or boarding-house reservations must bo prepared to search and at the end, to accept rooms of a type and in a quarter to which'often enough they are not accustomed. So acute is the position that it is placing a restriction upon normal travel. Tourist agencies report that they find it difficult at times to arrange accommodation two or three weeks ahead. Thus cancellation of trips is fairly common. Position in the Province "But the problem is not confined, to Auckland city," said one authority. "Rotorua, as everyone knows, no longer is a tourist resort for the civilian in the ordinary sense of the term. In other provincial towns, particularly those with special attractions for the holiday-maker, accommodation is now at a premium. Where formerly a person could anticipate no difficulty in obtaining a room 'full house' is the frequent reply. "But 'full house' does _ not always mean that every room is taken._ I understand that some accommodation places have had to close a number of rooms through lack of staff. I have read that in Australia there are shortstaffed hotels which will undertake to provide travellers with rooms provided they do the housemaid's work themselves. After all it would not be a serious hardship for this plan to be adopted in New Zealand where necessary, during the emergency." A taxi-driver said that it was not uncommon in his business to drive an arrival who had not made a reservation from hotel to hotel and finally _to leave him at a back street hoarding house which would have been far from his choice. Boarding House "Permanents" A correspondent writes: — "The difficulty of the elderly widow, widower and spinster working or in business, iu finding a boarding house, increases. Numbers of public and private hotels have been commandeered by the Government and our valued Allies, thus forcing the holiday folk to seek accommodation in a house which in times past welcomed a certain number of permanent guests. Unfortunately, the profits from these casuals and ' shake down ' guests is high and many private hotels, have raised the board for permanent guests, three and four times, cut down quantity and quality of meals, in an effort to chase the 'permanent' out. One place has gone so far as to raise the board 50 per cent on the old price of a week ago." A man in close touch with the position expressed the opinion that far too many flats had been taken as a luxury by servicemen.

SAFETY EDUCATION

CONTROL BY STATE YOUTH MOVEMENT OPPOSED (0.C.) WELLINGTON. Friday When the activities of the Child Safety Educational Service were being discussed by the North Island Motor Union, Mr. G. W. Hutchinson, of Auckland, said a rumour had reached him, whether well founded or otherwise lie did not know, that a plan was being formed for a movement in New Zealand under State control for youth education. He noted that the Transport Department was sending its inspectors to Auckland, which seemed to be doing good work in the matter of children's safety. It seemed that the department might be trying to offset the work being done by unofficial organisations which might ultimately interfere with such a State scheme for the establishment of a youth movement. " If there is any foundation for the rumour I have mentioned, I am sure that the people of New Zealand will not accept a State Youth Movement," continued Mr. Hutchinson, "because it might resemble the youth movements which became established in the totalitarian countries, where all youth.is taught to think alike. Such a suggestion would be opposed by New Zealanders. " There is already what we need in such movements as the Y.M.C.A., the Boy Scouts, and similar organisations, which are doing excellent work. The Commissioner of Transport should be asked if it is true that men are being sent to a place where the work is already being well done. The automobile associations could do the work well without any expense after the war, whereas if all this safety instruction has to be carried out by the Transport Department, it will be very expensive." Mr. ,E. Palliser (Wellington), suggested that the facts should be ascertained from the Prime Minister, the I?t. Hon. P. Eraser.

SHIPPING PROBLEM

CARRIAGE OF COAL (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Friday The shortage of shipping was the main problem affecting the coal situation at present, stated the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in the course of an interview. He emphasised that it was this, rather than coal production. that was the paramount question, and referred to its bearing on the Paparoa mine being idle recently. The Minister said that it' was essential that shipping be turned round as rapidly as possible. Manpower and coastal vessels had been lost to the Navy and although the wharf situation was better, every ounce of organisation in handling ships was needed. Gas production and industry had to be kept going and the shipping available had to be used for coal for this purpose, said the Minister, with the consequence that coal from the Paparoa and Blackball mines could not be taken at present. The Minister, who will leave tomorrow for Westport, conferred last night with State mine managers in the district, and to-day visited the Dobson, Wallsend and Paparoa mines. This evening he addressed a public meeting in the Roa hall.

ABSENTEEISM IN MINES URGENT NEED FOR COAL (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Friday Steps were to bo taken to remove wilful absentee workers from the coal mines, stated the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, at Greyniouth to-day. When asked what would happen to the men removed, and would they be placed in the army, the Minister said they could be counted on one hand. The miners suffered from bad colds and were usually laid up, few deliberately staying away. Increased quantities of gas were required in the Auckland and Wellington districts, particularly because of the presence of large numbers of the American forces, said Mr. Webb. This was manufactured chiefly from West Coast coal, in which that from Greyniouth predominated. It had been customary to obtain large quantities of bituminous coal from Australia, but the position in the Commonwealth was such that none would be obtainable for some time. This was cutting off several thousands of tons a year. In order to meet these requirements the West Coast coal was urgently needed. THEFT FROM TRAM DEPOT Thieves stole about £2 in small change from the traffic office at the Gaunf Street tram depot vesterday morning. Panes of glass in the office were broken by the intruders*