CRITICISM OF DOMINION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22465, 28 July 1938, Page 6

CRITICISM OF DOMINION

♦ AMERICAN TOURISTS’ VIEWS IMPRESSIONS GAINED BY CITY BUSINESSMAN The impression that American tourists were forming opinions about New Zealand which did not encourage tourist traffic in the Dominion was formed by Mr A. D. Tench, a city businessman, during a visit to Honolulu. Mr Tench, who returned yesterday after being away for six weeks, said that Americans seemed to be under the impression that it was impossible to get a meal in a hotel in New Zealand after 7 p.m. “They seem almost to hold the view that everything is in darkness in New Zealand after 7 o’clock,” said Mr Tench. "My opinion is that while the Government is spending so much on literature to encourage the tourist traffic it is very necessary to create the impression that wo are able to cater for these people satisfactorily. “Furthermore, through passengers for Australia as well as visitors to the Dominion have expressed very strong disapproval of the delays at Auckland, which they say arc caused by the attitude of the wharf labourers. I have been given to understand by people with whom I have talked that the watersiders at Auckland, with the best wharves and the best machinery, can handle only seven tons an hour for each gang, while at Suva the Fijians, working with barrows, can handle 28 tons an hour, and at Vancouver the gangs can handle from 25 to 28 tons an hour. “The general impression is that if it is likely to bo wet it is impossible to get anything done at Auckland. It is a pity that this view should be hold, as it militates against visits by tourists who might spend money in the Dominion. Ships’ officers have also expressed annoyance, and say, when asked when a ship is due to leave Auckland: ‘We don’t know; we are in the hands of the watersiders.’ ” Mr Tench said that the extent of the tourist traffic in Honolulu was an indication of what could be done in New Zealand. The throe main industries, of Honolulu were sugar-cane growing, pineapple growing, and the tourist traffic, in that order. Vet expenses for tourists were very high, hotel tariffs ranging as high as £8 10s a day. Telephone calls, even within the house, were extra, and no newspapers were supplied unless they were paid for. Supoer was also an extra charge, and a glass of pineapple juice cost Is 3d. Even the traditional welcome bv the natives and the placing of floral wreaths on visitors had been commercialised. Actually with 70 per cent, of the population Japanese, and many other nationalities settling there, the native Hawaiian was becoming rare. Mr Tench recommended Suva, which he visited, as a good place for a holiday. as it provided many attractions and was only three days’ sail from New Zealand.