TRAVELLERS' PERMITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1915, Page 6

TRAVELLERS' PERMITS.

EXPANDING THE SCHEME. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. By Telegraph.—.Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister for Internal Affairs today explained the arrangements that are being made in connection with the regulation governing the issue of travellers' permits. Officers are to be appointed in various centres to deal with the applications of men who wish to leave New Zealand, and it has been decided that permits issued must bear the photograph of the applicant, in order that there may be no mistake in regard to identity.

"The strain upon the Department of Internal Affairs," said the Minister, "has been very much greater than was ever contemplated when the regulation was issued. Although only ten days have elapsed since the regulation was approved by the Executive, more than ■TOO applications for permits have been dealt with by the Department. The amount of work involved is so large that it has interfered with the ordinary work of the Department, and we have decided to make a new arrangement. It is intended that special officers shall he appointed at practically all the leading of the Dominion to deal with applications for permits. A general set of instructions for their guidance will be issued, and they will be required to refer all doubtful cases to the head office. An officer will proceed to Auckland at once to deal with the applications of men who wish to leave by the San Francisco boat next week. It has been decided that every application for permit must be supported by the photograph of the person applying. As in the case of an ordinary passport, the photograph will be attached to the permit so that if one is issued that person concerned may he identified and any imposition niay be prevented. With a view to masing the scheme thoroughly efficient, officers will be appointed, not only at the main ports, but also at ports like Kaipara, Greymouth, Invercargill, Oamaru, Timaru, Nelson, Westport, Hokitika, Gisborne, Napier, Wanganui, and New Plymouth."