“N.Z. Publicity In S. America Poor”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30936, 17 December 1965, Page 13

“N.Z. Publicity In S. America Poor”

Publicity of New Zealand’s scenic attractions is practically non-existent in South America at the moment, according to Mr Paul Launder, a Brazilian industrialist now visiting Christchurch with his wife as part of a world tour.

Mr Lauder, who is director of Bahia Industries in Rio de Janeiro, said New Zealand had a good deal to offer the tourist from South America. The opening of a direct air link between New Zealand and Los Angeles meant that South Americans were now very much eloser in terms of travel, he said. Most South American airlines ran regular flights to Los Angeles, and it would now be possible for that city to become a step-ping-off point for tourists to New Zealand.

“I would say, without doubt, New Zealand is the best country in the world to live in,” Mr Lauder said. “I do not think you realise what a very high standard of living you have here. It is a beautiful country." Hotel Standards

Mr Lauder has been impressed by the high standard of New Zealand hotels. "1 am very surprised because all the brochures I saw gave the impression that they were small and not really comfortable," he said. ‘‘l would say they were as good as the best I have seen in Europe and the United States.” Mr Lauder has been surprised at the large number of New Zealanders who drink coffee. “The coffee I have tasted here is terrible,” he said. “I enjoy your tea, which is excellent. At home I always drink coffee—but a much better quality than that available here. “I am sure there would be a market for South American coffee in New Zealand. The coffee from Columbia, Brazil, and Salvador is the best in the world. Once you have tasted it, you would never be satisfied with anything else.” Maoris’ Position Brazil now has a much stronger government than it bad had for many years, according to Mr Lauder. The president (Mr Castelo Branco) was not seeking popularity, but was attempting to improve the economic situation in the country. Previous bad governments had done a lot of damage, he said. Mr Lauder said he thought the economic and social position of the Maori people was good. In his own country there was a good deal of dis-

crimination.against the Negro, whose situation was unenviable. Brasilian businessmen would be intensely interested in coming to New Zealand if they were aware of the country’s attractions, Mr Lauder said. He thought short television films would be the beet means of publicising New Zealand's tourist potential. “I am spending only 16 days here.” Mr Lauder said, “and I am sorry that it is not twice as long. If I had known what was here, 1 would have stayed longer at the expense of some of the other places I have been. Certainly next time I come, it will be for a much longer stay.”