BAVARIAN VISAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 13

BAVARIAN VISAS.

TOURISTS FRIGHTENED AWAY BY COMPLICATIONS. Tho discovery by the Bavarian Passport Department that it is costing the Government more to maintain the multifarious ramifications of red-tape surrounding the whole business of passports than the income derived for the Treasury may result in the abolishment of the special visa or tho very material curtailment of the trouble connected with remaining in tho State, states the Munich correspondent of the Christian Science Monitor. Bavaria, with an ominous set of regulations and procedures in passport matters, has frightened thousands of foreign tourists Iron. tho State- and Munich. In fact, so severe has it been in its dealings with foreigners that even the American Government has issued warnings to American tourists to .avoid tho State. Other nations have done likewise, with the result that a tremendous falling-off in the tourist trade resulted last year, while at the same time adding to the cost of maintaining tho whole passport system. Hotel-keepers and business men, especially art dealers, issued a protest last summer, but it was ignored by the Government. Now comes the passport department with the information that owm" to the falling-off of tho passport business without any diminishing of the cost of operating tho agency, the outgo far exceeds tho income. This state of affairs has aroused the powers that be, ami there is considerable talk about abolishing the. special visa and exorbitant taxes demanded for entering and passing a few weeks in Bavaria The fact that tho .Stale is known to bo preparing to revive the Wagner festival in Bayreuth next, summer mav have something to do with the sudden discovery of tho tragic statistics and tho Government’s willingness to be interested in lessening inconvenience to the foreigner. The festival was suspended this year. It lias been an annual summer event,"and for many years nast a most celebrated one in music circles. All tho great V. a and many other operas are produced, with the great “stare” of the Continent taking part in the performances. It the event is to take place again next summer, one of tho first steps that will have to be taken will bo the easing up of passport regulations in tho State.