FEWER PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2966, 3 January 1917, Page 4

FEWER PERMITS

DOMINION CANNOT SPARE MEN.

The existence of regulations pTohib-j iting persons leaving New Zealand without permits issued by the Department of Internal Affaire hes been impressed upon many people during the holidays'. Intended trips to Australia,' and elsewhere ha.ve had to be abandoned in some eases, the Department of Internal Affairs not being prepared to accept mere verbal assurances of intention to return to this country. Soma; persons have an still that, a man of military age is entitled to reeeive a permit if he win phow thai; he has volunteered for service, and has been rejected. This is not the case. A man who cannot wear a uniform as a member of the Expeditionary Forces is probably capable of performing m some useful service withm theDomm-; ion, and the Government realises the, importance of conserving the country's manhood as much as possible, in view of the heavy drain upon it for the maintenance of the New Zealand, army in the field. " ■•,.,,.,'■•" It has been announced that the regulations governing the issue of permits to leave .New Zealand are to be enforced with' increased severity during the present year. The number of permits issued is to be reduced to a minimum, in view of the increasing shortage of labour within the country, and the possibility that the prolongation of the war may tender necessary the or-' fsanisation of man and woman-power for the maintenance of essential industries and services. The authorities do not wish to interfere unnecessarily ■with business arrangements, which necessitate a certain amount of travelling, but mere holiday, trips will be discouraged firmly. .