TOURIST TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 3

TOURIST TRADE.

"BEST CUSTOMER." VISITS FROM AUSTRALIA. """" 1 * i COMMISSIONER'S VIEWS. The considered opinion, formed after several years of intimate investigation and experience, that Australia will always be New Zealand's best customer as far as tourist traffic is concerned was expressed, in an interview this morning, by Mr. L. J. Schmitt, New Zealand Government Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Australia, who sailed from Auckland by the Wanganella this afternoon for Sydney to resume his official duties. Mr. Schmitt, who is accompanied by ill's. Schmitt, has been in New Zealand in connection with the recently concluded negotiations for a new trade treaty between the Dominion and the Commonwealth. Speaking of the tourist side of the business,, Mr. Schmitt said that approximately 70 per cent of the number of people who came to New Zealand for holidays were Australians, and it was satisfactory to him to know that they had returned to the Commonwealth to express their great appreciation not only of the Dominion's magnificent scenery, but as well of the manner in which they had been treated by hotel proprietors, motor service owners and the New Zealand railways. "As long as the service which is being afforded tourists

at the present time is maintained," he added, "I am of opinion that the flow of tourist traffic from the Commonwealth to the Dominion will increase. The satisfied tourist, in conjunction with newspaper advertising, is perhaps the best publicity we have. I would like to thank those who are directly and indirectly associated with the tourist business for the manner in which they have treated visitors who are sent to New Zealand from the Government tourist bureaux in Melbourne and Sydney." Valuable Sites. Mr. Schmitt mentioned that since the amalgamation by the Government of the Departments of Industries and Commerce and Tourist and Publicity and the resultant reorganisation of the Australian representation of them, more central offices had been occupied in the two main Australian cities. Recently in Melbourne the Department transferred its quarters to Collins House, Collins Street, on the ground floor, with window display space. Collins House was the financial and commercial hub of Melbourne, and the locality was in the heart of the shipping world. Iu Sydney the New Zealand offices were situated in perhaps the best locality in the Commonwealth for a tourist bureau. The Commonwealth Bank and the 0.P.0. were opposite the bureau, which was accommodated at the corner of Pitt Street and Martin Square, and it had window, display in those two leading thoroughfares. Co-operation Sought. "Every New Zealandcr can be a publicity agent," continued the commissioner. "Yes, every man, woman and child. Nearly every resident in the Dominion has a friend in Australia with whom he or she corresponds. Here is my suggestion: Let each suggest to his Australian friend the spending of a holiday in New Zealand and forward to him the literature the Department's offices in New Zealand will willingly supply. If it is preferred, the friend can be referred direct to our organisation in Australia. This co-operation will be most valuable to us. In addition, it should be generally realised that every tourist who comes to New Zealand from Australia is spending sufficient money in the Dominion to keep one adult person fully employed at a high rate of wages for three months. World in Nut-shell. "New Zealanders can definitely tell their Australian friends that travel within New Zealand is cheaper than in most parts of the world, and that New Zealand is the whole world in a nutshell. The reason is that, with remarkably few exceptions, the visitor will see every scenic feature—be it thermar, glacial, mountainous, lake or bush, together with an interesting native race and modern cities—which can be seen in any other part of the world." In reply to questions, Mr. Schmitt said he regretted he could not comment on the question of future trade between the two Dominions, since that matter was wrapped up in the agreement which had been signed between the two Governments, and the terms of. which had not yet been disclosed. "I think the Australian people are to be admired for the way they are tackling their difficulties," added the Commissioner. "When I left AustraliA it appeared to me that the people liacl decided to expend more money in the purchase of commodities, etc., and this increase in internal trade is proving very helpful."