Pressure Alleged
p. 123 · Read in the full issue
On Cruises Of “Oriental Queen”
There is a threat to the future of “Oriental Queen” Pacific cruises, according to Mr. H.
Costello, shipping manager of F. H. Stephens Pty. Ltd., Sydney, agents for the Japanese owners of the liner, which runs services across the Tasman and through the Islands.
TTE alleged in Sydney in December that the Passenger Agency Con ference had instructed shipping agents not to take bookings for cruises by the Oriental Queen, owned by the Toyo Yusen Co. Ltd., Tokyo.
However, the chairman of the Passenger Agency Conference and
the Australia and New Zealand Passenger Conference, Mr. D. J.
Stilwell, said neither Conference nor any group of lines would forbid agents making bookings for the Oriental Queen. u .
He said that the Passenger Agency Conference gave approval or otherwise to agents, provided they came up to certain standards, and met other requirements, but it would not stop agents from making bookings. u • j- -j i , /. thp H< r^n V f er ’ mdlvldual f me ™ be r s of freC ° d ° 38 they wished An individual member might say
to agents that he did not approve of the agents making bookings for another line, but he could not stop the agent from making those book ings.
A „ Mr - Costello, in a public statement, alleged that accredited agents were afraid to refuse to obey the Con ference because of fear of retaliation by members of the Conference „ “e . sa, d the Oriental Queen was providing an essential service between New Zealand and Australia, but that COuld not keep the ° riental Q^en fiiJly employed, so it had planned Pacific cruises, via Auckland.