OVERSEAS TRAVEL.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 June 1919, Page 7

OVERSEAS TRAVEL.

! BOOKING STILL HEAVY. ( ___.__ ~ PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. The improvement in shipping condiltions since the beginning of the year has made it possible for many AuckIlanders to make l,ong-deferred trips to England, and, although the demand for passages has been somewhat loss since winter set in, bookings for overseas travel are still very ‘heavy. During the last two months six large. steamers have left the Dominion with full passenger lists, and many passengers have been booked for future sailings. Six steamers belonging to two cvompanies are due to leave between now and the middle of August, and already_ ‘the third-class accommodation on these vessels has all been taken up. The only berths still -pnocunable are, in the second and first class. The recent reduction in the cost of first and second passages has not mad any appreciable eifeet in regard to increasing the number of travellers. The principal result is that a certain number of passengers who would otherwise have travelled third are now travelling second; there has been very little difference in regard to first-class passages. The issue of return ticket, however, has removed one of the greatest. bars- to over-sea travel, rand. a large number have been sold. The steamers which have left since the beginning of the year have cleared the congestion so long experienced as a result of war conditions. All those who had been waiting for »a chance he get back to England have now gone; among those waiting for passages are medical students anxious to complete their studies, soldiers who have returned to New Zealand to get. their discharge, and are now wishing to go back to England, business men and others called by home ties. Probably not more than 1 per cent of those

travelling have gone Home for the purpose of witnessing the peace celebrations. After t'he sailing of the six steamers mentlioned, there‘will doubtEless be a slackening in travel to Eng*land, as few people care to make the ‘journey, unless of necessity, with the V immediate prospects of facing an Engtlish Winter. « ,' Although so many have already ‘taken advantage of shipping facilities, lit was mentioned yesterdlay by an ‘oificer of a tourist -agency that there ‘were still several hundred intending passengers on -their waiting list, peo- : ple who were disinclined to’ travel until ieonditions became normal. l There is also reported to be a. brisk demand for berths 501' the American '.and Canadian coast, and practically no berths are available until August. Among those who have booked passages locally are several families, who -are about to make their homes in Canada. and the United States. The Orient and P.O. Liners have how resumed sailings from Sydney, but not many New Zealand passengers have booked, owing to the present uncertainty and. difficulty" with regard to shipping between the Dominion and Australia.