THE SHIPPING SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1919, Page 4

THE SHIPPING SERVICES.

PASSKNGEE, ACCOMMODATION. ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF ; BERTHS. .1 Sy Telegraph.—PreßJ Aasodatioß. Wellington, Last Night. A number of people who have been ■stranded. in Now Zealand since the outbreak of war are naturally desirous of reluming t; the United Kingdom now that the conditions are working back U normal. Many at present are experience big great difficulty in obtaining pasaagei on homeward bound ships. Inquiriei made hhow that the shipping companlci in Now Zealand are being daily deluged with applications from intending passengers for Home ports, but the companies are unable to give the required accommodation. Only about half the uaq&l number of saloon berths are available. The repatriation of troops is really tho cause of this serious position. It must bo remembered tiuit there are still a considerable number of troops in India who have to be taken home. The Imperial authorities have iasned 'instructions to tho overseas committee in New Zealand to secure practically all accommodation on steamers leaving tWs icountry for England for the conveyance iof troops, as nearly all vessels at lie ! present tbne are fitted for troops. The | Carrying Committee has instructed tire i shipping companies to reserve one-haif £ saloon and nil second and thira class J viccommodation in their steamers for that purpose. j It is u riders to .1 fiat from timo to (tlmo a clear ship will be leaving, bo that some of lliose aiis'ious to return l'i England may do so; wit for ?. tSme tliere will only' be a limited number of berths, and those in tho saloon. The position is similar in regaid to intending passengers for South Africa, of whom there are many. It is not yet known when these persons will an opportunity of returning, hat it tainly not bo for some time.