TRAVELLERS’ PERMITS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17030, 3 December 1915, Page 3

TRAVELLERS’ PERMITS.

PROCEDURE FOR DEPARTURE FROM DOMINION.

CHRISTCHURCH CITIZEN ’ S

EXPERIENCES

Probably everybody knows that men wishing to leave New Zealand must first obtain a permit from the Minister of Internal Affairs, but it is more than probable that only -a few have a knowledge of the difficulty that is to be encountered in obtaining that permit. The following story told a “ Lyttelton Times” reporter by a commercial traveller, will illustrate ;to persons desiring permits to leave that the, business is not so easily accomplished, as they might" think. . . The. commercial traveller in question, who represents big interests in both New Zealand and Australia, is a married man with two children. He has made his home, in Christchurch, and has lived here for some iivo years. On Wednesday of last week he was summoned, to Australia on urgent business, , and it was imperative that ho should bo there next week. Having read' in the newspapers that permits to leave wero necessary, he inquired at the Citizens’. Defence Corps office, in Hereford Street, and was advised to make an application to the Minister of Internal Affairs. Ho then went to the local office of the Union Steam Ship Company to inquire about a passage, and he was told he could not bo given one without a permit. Ho was also informed that to begin ’with he must fill in an application form for a permit. He inquired where he could get such application form. Tho shipping clerk told him that the company had r.un out of them, but he would' probably got one at the Customs office. So he went to the Customs office and there obtained a form. Then lie set to work to answer the questions:—Why was lip leaving New Zealand, what was tho nature of his business, how long did he intend to stay away, why wasn’t lie taking his wife and children with him?

He was surprised to say the least, but ho filled in tlie form, explained all his business, and posted it that night to the Department of Internal Affairs. He waited till last Monday morning, becoming rather anxious, but then received a letter from the Department saying that his application had been received, would be considered in duo course, and ho could expect to hear further from the Department ill the course of a few days. That, was small satisfaction to a man who wanted to get away on Wednesday night, so he replied by telegram, pointing out his imperative summons to Australia, and also his legitimate reasons for going. The result was a telegram advising him to come to Wellington and make a personal application for the permit, when it would be handed to him. That was satisfactory to him, but a further surprise was in store. Armed with the telegram ho went to tho Union Company's office and applied for a berth oil the Sydney boat-, but was refused'. The company said they would not give him one without tho permit, and could not acknowledge tho Department’s telegram. Consequently, lie had to book a berth on the ferry steamer, and take, his chance of getting a-berth on the Sydney boat in Wellington and rebooking, in any case a procedure that has added to his expenditure . “I can tell you,” he said, ‘‘that it has been, -a most surprising' and anxious

business for me. I must be at a meet-

ing in Australia early next week, and even now, although the Department has stated I will get a permit it is unsatisfactory to have to take the chance of securing a berth. And I am a married man with two children. It isn’t as if I was single and trying to dod'ge enlistment. The authorities have only got to refer to my registration card to see my views on that subject. I am willing to go any time they require married men in my position. My advice to peoplo contemplating departure from the Dominion is, ‘ make an early application.’ ”