NEW ZEALAND'S ATTRACTIONS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1902, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S ATTRACTIONS

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS

(Ey Telegraphic—Special to the "Star.")

CHRISTCHURCH, this day

Mr A. J. Kennedy, a prominent London journalist, at present visiting New Zealand, is now in Christchxirch on his way to Dunedin and the Cold Lakes. In an interview with a "Press" reporter, Mr Kennedy commended the work done by the Tourist Department, especially mentioning- the Auckland agent (Mr. Montgomery). He praises the hot waters there. "They certainly have at Eotorua," he says, "curative waters they have not got in America or any other part of the world. I have been travelling- about all my life, and so far as I have bee"n able to see there is no place wh,ere there is such a variety of sulphur waters, nor is there any place 1 know of where there is a geyser equal to that at Waimangu. It would be well for the Government of this country not. only to widely advertise the thermal wonders of the colony," adds Mr Kennedy, "but also to advertise the country itself in order to attract people to come and settle here. They should let the outside world know what the soil is capable of growing, what price the land is, and similar information. If it is intended to advertise the colony as a tourist and health resort, as is evident, it would be very easy to give this additional information. The permanent settler is perhaps of more importance than the tourist." As to the colony's attractions for others than agriculturalists and pastortilists, Mr Kennedy is dubious. The labour .laws of 'the colony, he thinks, would interfere with the openina , up of new industries. This he illustrated by comparing gold mining at the Thames with what would be the state of affairs' in America if they had the same%mines Ito work.