PRAISE FOR N.Z. RESORTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 103, 26 January 1924, Page 16

PRAISE FOR N.Z. RESORTS

“PEOPLE HARD TO PLEASE WHO EXPECT MORE.”

“The New Zealand Government has done far more than Australia to encourage tourists and in the matter of facilities. . . if people really expect more they must be hard to please.” , The above remarks were made by Mr. 11. J. Manson, New Zealand Trade Commissioner and Government agent in Melbourne, who has just completed a tour of the Dominion s popular pleasure resorts and Las taken a very keen interest m every phase of the tourist question. “I am returning to my duties in Australia after completing a tour of tlie most beautiful country in the world,” said Air. Manson, “and I am more than ever satisfied that New Zealand has been justly described The world in miniature.’ aij opinion which has been fully confirmed by the many overseas visitors I have met doing the sights in the Dominion. . . The Australians at present crowding our tourist resorts are particularly enthusiastic over the beauties unfolded to them.” A well-known lady from Geelong stated the other day that she had been “enthralled and ,fasciliated” when gazing on Mount Cook, piercing its way through the clouds. . . . Many other ,'yellknown Australians who had visited the Dominion, had stated that it only people living on the other side of the Tasman could know more about “this amazingly attractive country” there could be no doubt about the ever increasing numbers to these shores. To use an Americanism we “had the goods,” but were inclined to be slow in proclaiming the fact, whereas the American policy was rather one of boosting something latent, until ,it became a live animated thing with a. ready sale. Everywhere Mr. Manson found that visitors wore sincerely appreciative of the courtesy and kindness shown them by the various Government officials conducting the bureaux. The majority of people were astounded at what had been accomplished in such a comparatively young country. “It is stated that a touch-up here and there to our roads in some of the out of the way places, and a little improvement to some of our accommodation houses would be an improvement,” added Mr. Manson, “but what else can you expect in a country with a limited population. ~ . . These things must ’follow as' time progresses. . . . During my visit I have found an ardent desire on the part of the people of New Zealand, particularly those enlaced in catering for the tourist traffic, to emulate what has already been done by a generous Government. . . The tourist is the forerunner of the settler and the more he can be encouraged the better, not only for the country, but the individual.”