ACCOMMODATION FOR EXHIBITION VISITORS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19405, 14 February 1925, Page 3

ACCOMMODATION FOR EXHIBITION VISITORS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —The announcement by the directors that the executive is making ample provision for an influx of visitors would, on, the face of things, appear reassuring. It may bo, of course, that provision is being made which is not disclosed in the statement in your columns. Regarding' the mention of the accommodation to be vacated by students, if this can be secured it will, of course, help. The reference to public schools, however, is ridiculous; these buildings will only bo available for six weeks, while the Exhibition runs for six months. The proposal to utilise idle ships is not new, and will, I hope, be considered only as a very last resort, since, it must be conceded, it is the most undesirable means of housing a people that could possibly be devised. i Some time back it was definitely stated that certain ,new hotels were to be erected in Dunedin. One was. according to reports, actually contracted for, but it has since transpired that the report was nothing more than "in the air" To my mind, the directors are taking upon themselves a grave responsibility in assuring the travelling public that there is no need for alarm. Every thinking person, I feel sure, views the position with very grave misgivings. Your report makes mention that representatives of licensed and private hotels arc on the Exhibition Housing Committee. Will tho chairman answer one question: "Is it true that certain of these very gentlemen have already decided to raise the tariff during the period of the Exhibition?" It is self-evident that a shortago of accommodation must work into their hands and enablo them to augment their earnings, and if the foregoing is true it can have no other than a very detrimental effect on the Exhibition project.—l am, etc., Observes.