Going Abroad

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 641, 18 April 1929, Page 8

Going Abroad

Many Tourists Leave Auckland

NOW is the season for the Aucklander to go abroad. Over 2,000 people have left this city for overseas in the past six weeks. Before the voyager leaves his moist-eyed friends waving from the wharf he makes confidantes of many officials. but he sails eventually with the comforting assurance that wherever he goes he may demand protection in the name of the King.

THE devastating loneliness which accompanies the first trip abroad is' dulled by the apparent security given by the traveller’s passport. He possibly has left friends and relations behind, but in a bright little case, covered with blue imitation leather, and embellished by the Royal coat-of-arms, is the reassuring inscription that Sir Charles Fergusson, as commander-in-chief of his Britannic Majesty’s Dominion of New Zealand, requests and requires in the name of his Majesty all those who it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely

without let or hindrance, and to afford him every assistance and protection of which he may stand in need. That impressive, request applies in all countries, and is the inspiration of nervous tourists in foreign lands. But it is not until all horizons are out of sight that he fully appreciates the complete significance of this document. Before he left the shore, however, he was compelled to open his heart to officials at the Government passport office in High Street, where the colour of his hair and eyes, a description of himself —compiled with his own assistance —his age, profession, family, and his intentions, were neatly and carefully recorded. His photograph, as the camera sees him, and without any embellishment by the retoucher’s pencil, is pasted on and overstamped, so that it cannot be substituted. Having seen himself as his worst, therefore, he turns the pages, and finds that his passport is not available for Palestine or Mesopotamia unless specially endorsed for those countries.

He must comply with the immigration regulations in British and foreign countries, and in one Dr two instances must secure a visa for entry. At one time a visa was necessary for entry into every foreign country, and a visit |to every consul in the city became necessary for the world traveller. Twenty-four pages are provided on the passport for visas, but these are now almost wholly unnecessary, except in one or two countries. In Egypt the conditions are stringent, and unless there is some excellent reason, the passport issued at Auckland allows a very short visit to this historic land. TRANSFER OF MONEY Germany and Russia, too, are difficult countries to enter, particularly Russia, where the Soviet authorities take a close interest in foreigners. Advertisements are now appearing in some English and American magazines inviting tourists to visit “this land of mystery and great social experiments.” At the passport office, the departing Aucklander is given useful information about his trip. He may insure his luggage—a splendid precaution —to the centre of Rhodesia, or anywhere else in the world; he may secure from well known tourist companies books of travellers’ cheques, exchangeable at currency rates in any country, at a cost of threepence for £5. Then the steamer ticket. Once on board, he finds that the shipping company has absolved itself from everything it could possibly be absolved from —acts of God, the King’s enemies, dangers of the sea, collision, fire, theft, robberies, strikes, civic commotion, quarantine restrictions. . . No responsibility, he finds, is held in fact for cargo or luggage. SEEING THREE SUMMERS If the tourist is going to England from Auckland, he usually goes through Sydney. He pays his full fare here, but he is compelled to call at the Sydney office for his ticket from Sydney to his destination. Finally he is issued with bright-coloured labels with “cabin” and other imposing inscriptions printed on them. Well over 2,000 people from Auckland have gone through this elaborate process since the beginning of last month, for this is a busy time of the year for overseas travellers, who seek three consecutive summers by reaching the Northern Hemisphere for the fine weather. Every ship leaving Auckland on the Sydney or the American runs takes from 300 to 400 passengers from this port, the total averaging about 1,500 a month. To re-enter New Zealand is equally irksome, involving as it does the oath of allegiance and declaration of intention. Aliens must deposit £lO as a bond of good faith. It is the usual endeavour of the Customs officials to spare distinguished visitors the ignominy of this £lO bond, but now and again noted scientific, medical, industrial, or professional men are herd up at the barrier and made to go through the humiliating ordeal.