Travel Hazards That Can Be Avoided

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31539, 29 November 1967, Page 16

Travel Hazards That Can Be Avoided

Two recent reports of misfortune befalling travellers abroad hold lessons that deserve to be well understood. A Tasmanian youth was arrested in Britain last month on a charge of breaking the immigration laws. Since then he has spent 36 days in a remand centre, first awaiting a court hearing and later awaiting deportation as ordered by a magistrate. Although Britain’s immigration laws seem strict they are not entirely inflexible: nor, generally, are they unfairly applied. The youth apparently did not a PPIy to a British High Commission for a visitor's entry permit before he left Australia. Nor, it appears, did he seek an extension of the six-months stay granted him on arriving in Britain. Working holidaymakers from Commonwealth countries are normally permitted to remain in Britain for a year; and it would have been exceptional if he had been denied an extension. The British Ministry of Labour refuses to issue vouchers for permanent employment to persons who are already in Britain. The Ministry upholds this rule in fairness to other Commonwealth citizens overseas who have applied for and are still awaiting vouchers.

While unemployment remains high in Britain it would clearly be unreasonable to allow unrestricted immigration. In 1965, 24,000 New Zealand citizens travelled to Britain. According to the British High Commission in Wellington only five were refused admission. Eighty thousand Australians went to Britain in 1965 and 79 were refused entry. Although Britain strictly enforces its rules on permanent employment, students who apply in advance for entry to undertake studies, or work connected with their studies, are freely admitted. Teachers, doctors, nurses, others with special skills, and those who have specific jobs to go to in Britain can usually obtain permanent work vouchers before they enter the country. Unless travellers understand the law and follow the guidance of the High Commissions they are likely to face difficulties which could easily be avoided.

The misfortune of a woman from Lower Hutt who suffered an accident in the United States probably could not have been avoided. However, her account of the expense and inconvenience that followed this mishap should warn other travellers who neglect to insure themselves against injury or sickness while they are remote from the free medical services to which they are accustomed in New Zealand. The cost of insurance is not high when compared with the cost of medical treatment, especially in the United/ States. Insurance against medical expenses and additional hotel and travel expenses in the event of sickness or accident can be obtained for as little as Sl2 for each §lOOO of cover for a period of three months. Other forms of insurance can relieve travellers of anxiety and expense. Health insurance is a sound investment before travelling to any other country for, even if medical treatment is obtained at reasonable cost, other expenses incurred as a consequence of sickness or accident may be heavy.