UNDER A CLOUD?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 67, 20 March 1937, Page 7

UNDER A CLOUD?

i DOMINION'S NAME. TOURIST MEAL FACILITIES. PUBLIC DEEPLY CONCERNED. Following 1 the recent criticism of meal facilities for tourists in New Zealand made by the noted golfer Joe K ilk wood fears are being expressed both by those ■ connected with the tourist trade and : manv sections of the public that tlie Dominion s good name will suffer. That every effort should be made to correct the misleading impression that might have been gained by the wide currency given Mr. Kirkwood's criticism, that there was a shortage of food in New Zealand and that tourists were put to considerable inconvenience, was the jjeneral ©pinion given this morning by a number of prominent men in Auckland.

It was poinded out that the tourist trade in New Zealand of late had received a great impetus. One illustration was the number of cruise vessels that had come from Australia. The survey flight being made 'by the PanAmerican Clipper ship was further focusing attention upon New Zealand. Improved transit facilities to New Zealand would mean a greater number of tourists and visitors. In view of these facts and also that the Dominion would be celebrating its centenary in 11)40, for which, no doubt, many overseas people were already making arrangements for visiting New Zealand, it was imperative that prompt steps be taken to preserve the country's good name as a tourist resort.

That it should l>e the duty of every h -tel manager to co-operate toward this ; objective was a suggestion advanced , by one of the persons interviewed. While it was true, he said, that many ol the | hotels provided adequate meals and suppers for late comers others apparently did not make the same provision. "Surely," he said, "no hotel manager would consider it below his dignity to carry a tray with hot dishes to the room of a guest who desired a night meal." Inter-Island Steamers. A point riised by another man was that hot meals were not available after sailing hours on the inter-island steamers running between Wellington and Lyttelton. Admittedly, a grillroom was open on the ships from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., but what wan the use of this, he asked? The average passenger did not wish to go on board the steamer at that hour when the vessel was not sailing until about 8 p.m., while very often he had business engagements that precluded him obtaining a meal at a hotel or restaurant in Wellington

He pointed out, further, that many I passengers for Lyttelton would not arrive in Wellington until near the sailing hour and that they were in need of a substantial meal on the boat. Many motorists brought their cars from New Plymouth, Wanganui and other centres and, after arranging for shipiuent of the vehicles, had little or no time for a meal in the city. The Napier express did not arrive in Wellington until about 6 p.m. Reply by Company. He also mentioned that often a passenger might desire to entertain fellow passengers or business associates while on the sea journey to Lyttelton. All that was available was a light supper. It would be most convenient if there were a grill room open, say, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Human nature being, on the whole, of a kindly disposition, most people would be diffident about complaining to the company of the lack of these facilities. He was confident, however, that the patronage would justify the provision by the company of such a grill room. He further mentioned that the salt air gave a fillip to appetites, and that night sea journeys were apt to be monotonous.

"It is our experience that passengers do not require any night meals beyond light supper, and the retaining of the 5 p.m. to ti p.m. grill service would not be justified." stated the head office of the Union Steam Ship Company in a telephone conversation this morning with the "Star." "There have been no complaints or Ru«:jrestionH from passengers whatsoever that we should provide hot meals after 6 p.m.," the official added He pointed out that breakfast grills were available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. There was very small patronage of the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. grill service, for the reason, he said, that passengers preferred to have their dinner shortly before a sailing time at hotel or restaurant.