PASSAGES TO BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25852, 24 May 1945, Page 4

PASSAGES TO BRITAIN

INCREASE IN DEMAND MANY PEOPLE WAITING (Special) AUCKLAND, May 23. Since V-E Day even greater numbers of people have been seeking passages to the United Kingdom at local shipping offices. Although there are a few New Zealanders eager to travel for business purposes, the majority of those in quest of berths are English people who have been residing in the Dominion. No slackening of the demand is in sight, and although the shipping position may change the agents cannot make any prediction as to when the large number of intending travellers will be able to obtain berths. Large troop movements following the end of the war in Europe and the transfer of men and materials to the Pacific are expected to absorb many passenger vessels. Most of the ships visiting New Zealand from the United Kingdom are of the refrigerated class with limited accommodation. In. dribs and drabs, many of the waiting people have, however, been able to travel on these ships or on the passenger vessels occasionally calling at New Zealand. Permits to travel are obtained from the Department of Internal Affairs. Intending travellers with permits are graded in order of priority by the Quartermaster-general's Office at Army Headquarters, Wellington, which controls all shipping passenger accommodation.