PASSAGES FOR HOME.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 6

PASSAGES FOR HOME.

SHIPPING ACCOMMODATION VERY LIMITED. (FBESS .ASSOCIATION" TELEGRAM.) "WELLINGTON, January 16. A number of people wlio havo been stranded in Now Zealand since the outbreak of tho war aro naturally desirous of returning to tho "United Kingdom now that conditions aro working back to normal, but many at present aro experiencing great difficulty in. obtaining •passages on Homeward bound 6hips. Enquiries made show that tho shipping companies in New Zealand are Doing dailv deluged with applications from intending passengers for Home ports, bub the companies are unablo to gire the required ""accommodation. Only about half the usual number of saloon berths aro available.

Tho repatriation of the troons is really the causo of this state of affairs. It must bo remembered that tliero are a considerable number of troops still in. India who have to be taken Home. Tho Imperial authorities havo issued instructions to the Oversea Committee in New Zealand to secure practically all accommodation on steamers leaving this country for England for tho conveyance of troops. As nearly all the vessels at tho present time aro fitted out for carrying troops, the oommitteo has instructed the shipping companies to reserve oneh.ilf of the saloon aud all tho eooondl and third-class accommodation in tlioir steamers for that purpose. It is understood that from time to time a clear ship will be leaving New Zealand, so that somo of those who aro anxious to return to England may do so. but for a time thero will be oiilv a very limited number of berths, and! those only in tho saloon. Tho position is similar in regard to intending passengers for South Africa, of whom thero are many. It is not yet known when' these persons will have an- opportunity of returning. but it will certainly not be for somo time.