TOURISTS FOR AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24983, 18 September 1946, Page 8

TOURISTS FOR AUSTRALIA

ADDRESS BY MR A. R. CUTLER

“Australia is now going ahead to cater for tourist travel as it has not done in the past,” said the Australian High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr A. R. Cutler) when he spoke yesterday at a reception held in honour of him and Mrs Cutler by the .Travel Club. Queensland, and perhaps the Northern Territory, would probably attract most tourists in the future. Mr Cutler said. Queensland had all the advantages of a tropical climate without its intense heat. It was probably one of the wealthiest districts in Australia, and the surface had only been scratched, Mr Cutler said. If it had not been for the war, Australians would hardly have known that the Northern Territory existed, the speaker continued. Darwin was now being rebuilt after the extensive damage it had suffered from bombing during the war.

“Visitors from overseas will not now land at the back door of Australia, but at something approximating to the front door,” Mr Cutler continued. The main attractions for tourists in the north were crocodile and. buffalo shooting, he said. The crocodiles grew to an immense size, and could easily Pujl a horse or bullock into the river. The famous surf beaches of Australia were also mentioned by Mr Cutler. On a hot day there would be a quarter of a million people swimming at Sydney beaches, he said There would be 80.000 or, 90.000 at Bondi alone.

Mr Jutler added that companies had now been formed in the main cities of Australia to plan for better hotels motor coach and aeroplane services and other tourist facilities. The number °f travellers to and from Australia would be very much increased m the future.

President °* the Travel Club (Sir Joseph Ward) presided at the and d V rin £ the morning songs were sung by Mrs Cara Cogswell, accompanied by Mrs J. C. CulL ™ ere Mesdames Gladstone Ward and H. A. Young.