'Delos' Mission Cost

Taxpayers Nothing

When the Australia-West Pacific Line motor vessel “Delos” set out from Sydney on October 28, carrying the Australian Trade Delegation to the Far East, everyone got credits—except the shipping line, which probably con tributed more to the venture than anyone else.

Most people thought that it was a straight-out charter to the Australian Exporters’ Federation; PIM said (October issue, page 140) that it would cost the Australian taxpayers a “packet”.

But it wasn’t a charter; and it isn’t going to cost the taxpayers anything.

Some time ago, the directors of the Australia-West Pacific Line suggested to the Exporters’ Federation that a floating exhibition to the Far East might pay dividends. The idea was adopted enthusiastically.

The shipping company gave free, all the space on the vessel taken up by exhibits. It also gave free the 12 pas sages of the delegates (who are listed on page 113 this issue), and it did not carry ordinary paying passengers at all on this particular voyage.

Finally, it arranged to stay longer in each port so that contact could be made between the travelling delegates and local businessmen, and so that everyone interested could visit the ex hibits on the ship.

The Federation chose the delegates —who, of course, do not represent only their own companies, but the whole of their particular industry; and also arranged the exhibits.