OVER THE TASMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 4

OVER THE TASMAN

CIVILIAN AIR TRAVEL Some of the joys and tribulations of civilian air travel in wartime were described to members of the Wellington Rotary Club this week by Mr Cyril Sander, who recently travelled to and from Australia by air. He said that in the first place one had to satisfy the Minister for Internal Affairs that there was a good excuse for the trip, and the manpower authorities had to be sure that one was not dodging responsibilities to the war effort in this, country. After having satisfied these departments there were other things to be done before taking flight across the Tasman. The income tax authorities demanded guarantees for the payment of tax; therp was the Social Security tax also to be paid; permits had to be secured for money to be converted into Australian currency on arrival there; a baggage permit had to be obtained; one Tiad to declare all jewellery or watches in his possession (so that they could not be exchanged for more expensive articles of similar nature and so defraud the Customs on one's return); and one must declare that one has no photographic camera. Mr Sander said that passengers by air could carry a suitcase weighing not more than 44!b, and in addition could take an overcoat and rug. The fare was £3O each way. The plane he travelled in used 1400 gallons of petrol in making the 8i hours’ flight from Auckland to Sydney, with 22 people (including the crew) on board. Two good meals, breakfast

and luncheon, were served during the trip. With the drone of the engines and nothing to see except a boundless expanse of ocean the trip was rather monotonous, and most people drowsed the greater part of the time, waking up for meals only.