29 AUGUST 1952, Page 4

When I read out the announcement that B.O.A.C. and B.E.A.

were going, as they have never done hitherto, to charge passengers for their bus journey to and from the airports some- one commented succinctly " What a dirty trick." That repre- sents my view. Hitherto 'the fare has covered the journey from air-station—in the city—at one end to air-station—in the city—at the other. Now the journey-fare is to be increased, just at a moment when the financial position of the two British corporations at any rate is understood to be steadily improving. Unhappily Air France, Swissair and K.L.M. are all taking the same retrograde step. Suppose B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. succeed in making profits without this impost. Is it still to be main- tained ? Apparently, for the purpose of the change is " to bring about uniformity between Europe and North America." But why on earth is uniformity needed in such a matter ?, Must we now call braces suspenders, and biscuits crackers ?