HOMEWARD FLIGHT.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15319, 21 August 1923, Page 6

HOMEWARD FLIGHT.

EARLY RUSH FOR BERTHS,

Steamship companies carrying passengers from New Zealand to London are experiencing something like a rush to book berths for as far ahead as next March and April sailings. The booking is largely provisional, but some direct liners to sail in February and March, 1924, are already full as to the first saloon, likewise the second; while already the third-class booking is very heavy I for London. By the 'liners sailing in March from Sydney via Suez, it is reported that very little accommodation is not "unpeneillcd," and the majority of berths have been definitely taken. First and second and third-class berths in direct steamers sailing in April-May are fast filling up. The pressure on the trans-Paciflc-Allantic routes for March ami April is not at present unduly heavy, but it is likely to be in view of the eagerness to book by all sea routes, via Panama, Suez, and the Cape, for steamers sailing in the February to April period of 1921. The great Imperial Exhibition to he held in London may account for the activity of the passenger departments of liner companies usually hooking passages Cor London so as to arrive there in the season, which begins in September hut this year enquiry for accommodation started two months earlier, and considerable booking took place in July for passages by direct steamers I to London.