SYDEY-WELLINGTON STEAMERS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1920, Page 3

SYDEY-WELLINGTON STEAMERS

AUSTRALIAN DISCONTENT. SYDNEY, Nov. (30. For some time past there has been grumbling in Sydney over the class of steamer being used on the Australian New Zealand services. These complaints have become more marked recently. A very large number of people this year are turning their faces towards the New Zealand holiday resorts —Rotorua, the Wanganui,- the Southern Alps, and the Cold Lakes are likely to welcome more Australian visitors this season than has been the case for years past. A remarkably large number of wealthy people are going to Auckland to see the classic tennis, and will then journey southwards. Thesq people do not seem to relish a voyage on the Moeraki or Manuka. There have been urgent enquiries after the Niagara—but that well-fitted vessel cannot hold a tenth of those who want to travel to Auckland in her. Others appear to be satisfied with the Mnlieno, but “the majority, who must fare forth in the Manuka and Moeraki, or the R.iverina, have quite a lot to say upon the subject. “When is tlie Union-Com-pafly going to put decent vessels on this service?” is the general cry. “The fares are high enough now-—surely we ought to get reasonably good aecommo- - dation.” The fact is that these Australian voyagers are comparing the steamers in the New Zealand service with the really fine liners which now ply along the Australian coast between Brisbane and Fremantle. In such a comparison the Manuka, Moeraki, and Riverina suffer grievously. There is some talk of ap- . pealing to the Federal Government to take action—but that is not likely to come to anything. The Australian public,'through long years of Government muddling, have learned to relieve themselves by grumbling only; to take definite action to remedy a grievance is something unknown.