CANBERRA EXTORTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20075, 16 April 1927, Page 8

CANBERRA EXTORTION.

CHARGES FOR ACCOMMODATION. Anyona thinking of 4 viait to Canberra for tho opening function on Mav 9 must apparently be prepared to pay dearly for the small accommodation available (says the Melbourne Ago). The only places which make ft regular business of living accommodation are tho Hotel Canberra and a few other hotels and boarding-houses, most, if not all, of which have been erected by tho Government. There is evidence that residents and householders willing to let rooms have prepared for a rich harvest at tho time of the Royal visit. The official hotel, hostels, and boarding-houses will all be crowded with official guests. Members will be allowed to take their wives, and will pay 25s a day, inclusive of food, at the Hotel Canberra, and proportionately lower charges at the Hotel Kurrajong, the Hotel Ainsliee, and other places. One member of Parliament thought of taking his wife and family, and wrote to a Canberra resident who offered accommodation, inquiring as to terms. He was informed that two small rooms could be made available to him for three days at a charge of £lO per day for each room, or a total charge of £6O, without food. He immediately decided that rather than submit to such monstrous extortion he would keep away from Canberra at the time, and certainly drop the idea of taking his family. Nine guineas is being asked for the use of a tent for a week, and 11 guineas for a double tent. The reports of extortionate charges have caused many people to abandon any intention of travelling to Can berra in May, when the possibility of severe weather renders it necessary to have secure and comfortable quarters overnight. A proposal has been advanced that the Hotel Kurrajong should bo made available permanently for the accommodation of members of Parliament at a suggested rate of £1 a week, inclusive of food and all services. The deficiency in its accounts would be made up by annual grants from the Treasury, similar to those made in respect of the non-paying Parliamentary refreshment room?. An increase of the Parliamentary allowance of £IOOO a year is also being discussed.