TRAVEL EXPENSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 139, 9 December 1938, Page 10

TRAVEL EXPENSES

OVERSEAS TRIPS

REASONABLE SUM ALLOWED

STATEMENT BY MR.

NASH

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

"If a request is made for a sum reasonably sufficient to meet any ordinary expenditure for a trip overseas, then it will be made available," stated the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W, Nash) in a telephone interview with 'The Press." when reports thai restrictions on drafts by trading banks and money orders from the Post Office would prevent persons from travelling abroad were referred to him.

"He can get some money—any reasonable sum that he wants," said Mr. Nash. "The money must be wanted for his own expenses and not for other expenditure."

The leading shipping companies in Christchurch yesterday" had a number of inquiries from persons who had booked or were contemplating booking passages to Australia, and the intending passengers were fearful that they would have to cancel their berths, because they had heard that the banks would not provide the necessary letters of credit for amounts which would enable them to spend their holidays on a scale that they had planned.

The banks, acting under instruction from the Associated Banks, have made more stringent the conditions under which they will advance money for overseas requirements and full inquiries are being made into every application for funds in Australia and elsewhere. Each application if= considered on its merits.

"I cannot imagine that that man would be refused money," remarked Mr. Nash, when he was informed of a case which came under official notice in Christchurch yesterday of a man who had doubts whether he would be able to transfer his money to Australia, where he will live in future. The man had sold up his home, having been appointed to a better position in Australia. He was exceedingly concerned yesterday by reports that facilities for the transference of his, capital would be denied him and he believed that he would be forced to remain in New Zealand. "It all depends on the amount of money that he wants to take," said the Minister, when this case was explained to him.