PERMITS TO LEAVE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8306, 26 November 1915, Page 8

PERMITS TO LEAVE.

JNTEMDJNC TRAVELLERS APPLY

YOUNG MEN WISH TO GO

ABROAD

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

| ; WELLINGTON, November 24. Wellington people .who had occasion to visit the Government [Buildings today ha-d their attention drawn to the office of the Under-Seeretary for Internal Affairs by the presence of a group of men, most of them under 30 'years of age, waiting to niake.application for permits to leave New Zealand. Tho composition of the group varied during the day, but a reporter who paid several • visits to the buildings did not find fewer than three men waiting on any occasion. Each applicant had to state his case to the Under-Secrctary and it was easy to gather from the expression of those emerging from the jofficer's' room that permits were*not being granted until, good reason had been shown. ■-„■'

At one stage during tho day seven men were waiting their turns to make their applications for permits. Two of them had no difficulty at all. They .Were uniformed members of the Australian Expeditionary Forces, taking a holiday on sick leave, and they did not have to wait" long for their permits. Another man was an Australian over here on business, and he also was-able 'to get the necessary document as soon as he had made his case clear. But the roporter gathered that the. other applicants were having more difficulty in showing the authorities that there were sufficient-grounds for their projected departure from New Zealand. It seemed that one man wanted to go to America on a health trip, his notion being to "take the waters." He received coldly a suggestion that in view of the war and in order' to avoid any misunderstanding <of his motives it. would be well to give Rotorua a turn.

The stream of applicants for permits has been almost continuous during the last day or two, and a " New Zealand Times " reporter who made inquiries on the point gathered that the proportions of rejections and postponements • had been fairly large. Some of the men who have obtained the necessary forms have not returned them to the De,,partment, probably because they realised that they could not answer the questions in a satisfactory manner. Other men, usually quite youngs ones,; have been unable to show that they ha<j substantial reason for leaving' NewZealand at this juncture, apart from any possible objection they might have to military service. Many of the applicants, as might. be expected, have no difficulty in ■. showing ■ that they are going abroad in the ordinary course of business,or for good personal reasons, and their cases are disposed of quickly. The Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell) is taking, steps to facilitate the consideration of applications-, in order that there may be no unnecessary delay at any point. In the meantime men who are thinking of travelling just now had better tinderstand cloarly that the now regulations are no mere forms. The.nianof military age who wants to leave Now Zealand at the present time, has got to show good and sufficient.reason why he should be granted a permit.to do so. If ho cannot show the reason lie will not get the permit. •.