BOOKING OFFICES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1931, Page 8

BOOKING OFFICES

TOURISTS AND RAILWAYS MERGE CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES. Arrangements have been made between the Haihvay and the Tourist Departments for an amalgamation of duties at the central booking offices at Wellington and Auckland, where both departments are accommodated' in the one set of offices, according to a statement made by the Nlimster of Railways, Hon. W. A. Veitcli. The minister claims that the amalgamation wil. mean a, decided saving in operating excuses without in any way reducing the efficiency of the service given by the respective departments.

Mr Vditch stated that some years ago the Tourist and Railway Departments were accommodated in one set of offices in ‘‘The Dominion” buildings. Wellington, and in flic Government Life Insurance Office, Queen Street Auckland, but although housed together, the stall's were under distinct management while the matter of dealing with clients was handled sop rateI. This gave rise to a certain amount of inconvenieco to visitors at thee offices, as they had at times m lie passed over to the other department from one at whirl) they made their application. SEPARATE STAFFS. The chief disadvantage of tin* v--tem u as unit nitnuug.i uca.ing Willi urn travel needs ol lue puonc, separate suuts were maintained u«.ng to to*, somewhat diuerenl ninetiuiis penurm - call by tbe two departments m respect of travel and accommodation the railway work being eon.i n to purely rail travel and the tour's. Departments work includ.ng r..n ’>ml ah otner forms ol trawl as wed a* u* arrangement t,l go..oral ltinerarn s am. oi . fioii.niiwa,u>.i tor lourisis. ■ Under the new arrangement '''■ wliotc ol 1.. e woik aL ti.ese offices i.oi.L. no perloi'tueil b\ tlie loui'ist .Department. T'bis will permit ol the work being carri.d out with one otucer in charge at Auckland and Wellington respectivelv, and enable other savings, both in staff and t.tlier smaller eci nomics to be made. PRGFIC'I ENT STAKE. 1 tic **.U .UD U» 0 die lu:. .1 K.i UiC uto UaiCCd Ut.uci I**l* luuruhp iairg'iiiicni, sa.d -vir \ ciicn, "is Llial mt* Hiciii'iUi’a ,Ui LiiuL i.t£»*.i'UllUnt 11. t» c* Li*.»i»lt*U wi. 101 l I*^l »>t - slues having a tai.l., gene.ai kuo..ui e ,1 i.,,,.,ay oouiiing. ana, ouiug to Lie .iij.'i .... mituiv- ol Liieir positions ,«.i.ey ui L not oiLen transierred, a..a eons*' (|,,.,.ti_, i.a\e an opportunity to Ik come mg i,. pioncieiit m the si.jmiy oi tra.l iniin iiia.ii.il , and in comp,e.mg t... arrangements, lor tne UooKmg oi geii-ci-.it passengers as ueil as \i»..in 0 t.-nr-ists to nil parts of the Dominion.

"On the other ham!, the eiremnst n,es ... tne jLiil..a,. IXp..itmeiiL require L.iat raiiwavmen slnul be transient,,

more lreijueml., than meimiers oi the tour.sL .stall, and consequently ti.ey do not Move the <|pporuiiit,y to attain tin* same mgb degree ol specialised knowledge ami .skill m regard to tbe requirements of travellers in shell such matters as the minions.lig of details regarding taxi fares and car ct nn-ctions lmtel aecoiniiiodaueu, questions ol' alternative routes between nun,us placethe relative advantages and a,fractions of the different tourist and health resorts, etc.

“ r ! lie Department of Tourist and Health Deports will also take over the tourist and publicity work at present performed by the four mail agents of the New Zealand Government oil the Vancouver and San Francisco mail boats.

It is anticipated that the new arrangement will effect a saving of approximately £2OOO per annum in operation expenses and will at the same time, enable an even more efficient service to he given than under the present method of divided control.