AMERICAN TOURISTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 78, 26 December 1925, Page 3

AMERICAN TOURISTS

TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND

The American tourists who passed through Palmerston North bi' the morning Limited on Thursday morning were met at the railway station by representatives of The Dominion, who presented each member of the party with a specially-wrapped copy of the paper. The tourists expressed their keen appreciation of the people of New Zealand, who, they said, struck them as unusually enterprising. “We have not had much of an opportunity of studying the country,” remarked one member of the party, “but by what I have seen of it I should say your possibilities are unlimited. During the past few hours, however, I have met quite a number of young New Zealanders, and from my brief observations would say without hesitation that you have the virile manpower that should make you a very prosperous people.” That at least some of the travellers have an eye to the business possibilities of the Dominion was evidenced bv the fact that the reporters were asked bv several members of the party for information concerning statistics, trade figures, and year books. “We’re rushed for time,” remarked the associate manager of a Middle Western banking institution; “but personally I am verv anxious to get such trade information as is available regarding this promising country, Here is my card. Would vou mind writing me at my home address and giving me particulars of the Departments where I can get the information I desire?” As the reporter walked along the carriage he spoke with many keen seekers after knowledge. “Your newspapers are a revelation to me,” one gentlemen said. “We Americans claim to be the greatest newspaper men on the face of the earth, but let me tell you that you New Zealanders would prove pretty stiff opposition. Why, some of vour metropolitan dailies print more general world news than many of mv home papers.” The haunting Maori melodies that have made such an appeal to lovers of song throughout the world have evidently captivated many of the tourists, and one of them inquired if he could purchase any recordings of Maori songs to take, overseas with him. “Apart from their musical qualities, the Maoris are a remarkable race,” he said. “In America we are inclined to look down on native races, but the Maoris arc certainly deserving of the very fair treatment you people accord them.”

“What did vou think of Rotorua?” asked the reporter of one of the party. “Well, the geysers are certainly wonderful, but they don’t plav so high as some of those in the Yellowstone National Park,” replied the sightseer. “But.” he added as an afterthought, “in America we have none of the wonderful thermal curiosities that exist in Rotorua. I think the attractions there are absolutely unique. My' only regret is that I cannot spend more time in this remarkable country.”