STEAMER BOOKINGS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 93, 30 January 1934, Page 6

STEAMER BOOKINGS.

PASSENGERS FOR ENGLAND. A N UN USUA L POSITION. _ » (Special to the "Guardian.") WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. A revival in passenger travel from New Zealand to Great Britain and the Continent during the coming season is indicated from inquiries among local shipping companies. In all directions a note of optimism was struck, one passenger manager even going so far as to say that the bookings in the ships of the lino ho represented were 100 per cent, better now than they had been at tho same time-last year. With the inward tourist season to the Dominion practically over, the movement of travel from this country to overseas will begin soon: this year it is somewhat earlier than usual. The English and Continental summer regularly .attracts many New Zealanders who dislike the local winter, and between the middle of March and early in June the travel traffic is at it.* best.

However, it appears that this year the period of Homeward movement will be longer than for some years, for the Shaw, Savill, and Albion .Line's 12,500-ton steamer Mataroa, which leaves Wellington on February 7 for Southampton and London, via. Panama, will 1)0 very nearly a full ship when she sails. Several of those on board will he round-voyage passengers. Shipping officials consulted could not remember when during the last four or fivo years a passenger ship had received so many bookings in February. "It is certainly much better than last season," said one official, "and it shows that people are getting more confidence. It is a bit early yet for the rise in the price of wool to' be felt, and I think it is due to greater confidence in the market." •Mr N. A. .Henderson, passenger manager for the Shaw, Savill Line, said ,that the heavy bookings for the Mataroa. were, most unusual and he had never known, anything like it for many years. It was quite a notable occasion, for February wias very early in the 'season for 'passenger traffic to the United Kingdom.