MAKING WELCOME THE STRANGER

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 11

MAKING WELCOME THE STRANGER

Travel Club Formed WELLINGTON’S OVERSEAS VISITORS Appointment of Officers Over a hundred people attended a meeting held in the Palm Lounge of the Hotel St. George yesterday afternoon for the purpose of forming a Travel Club. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, who presided, said that the purpose of the meeting was to form a Travel Club on the lines of one which had been in existence tor the last three years at Auckland. He had been assured that the Auckland club had a membership of 600, and was doing work of very great value. He was pleased to know that the honorary director of that club, Mrs. Victor Macky, was present, and would be very willing to explain how the club operated. He hoped that a similar organisation would be Instituted in Wellington. Mrs. Macky said she was sure that the club would be a success in Wellington, and offered the heartiest co-opera-tion of the Auckland club Such a club may be even more successful at Wellington owing to its being the seat of Government and its importance as a link with the South Island. The chief aim of the Travel Club was to extend friendship to visitors to New Zealand from overseas. Many people who arrived in New Zealand were utter strarigers to the country and the people, and the club enabled them to make social contacts. People travelled for enjoyment, and if they did not have a good time they went away dissatisfied, and that did the country no good. Auckland's president was the Hon E. R. Davis, and they had on the executive people connected with shipping companies and railways. They also had a women's committee. Then on a set day every week, at 1030 a.m., they had morning tea, and part of their duties was to ring up the hotels and boardinghouses and invite all visitors to tea, where they could not only meet people, but could make known what they wished most to do. They were, too, in touch with Travel Clubs all over the world, and through them were able to gain a good deal of publicity for New Zealand. The Auckland club would willingly cooperate with the Wellington club, and with any similar organisation which may be formed in the South Island. She wished the undertaking every success. Minister’s Good Wishes.

The Hon. F. Langstone, Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, said that as head of that department he was interested in all subsidiary organisations such as the one to be formed in Wellington. Indeed, it was only by the association of ideas that they were able to make any progress; and possibly a good deal more could be done by Travel Clubs than could be done by officers of the department. With its superabundance of thermal and scenic attractions there had been need for a tourist department in New Zealand, and such were its activities that the department now had £700.000 invested in tourist and health resorts. Even in Rotorua borough they had £300,000 invested, consequently he was most interested in any movement that was going to encourage the'growth of the tourist traffic from beyond New Zealand. The Minister said that New Zealand had attractions superior to any other country in the world. They- had arranged for no fewer than six summer cruise liners to come here next season. The passengers did not stay long enough as they went back in the steamer by which they arrived, and an effort was now being made to allow of people coming from Australia to >tay off here and return oy the next steamer, so that they would be able to see* a little more of New Zealand’s attractions. The chairman moved: “That, a Wellington Travel Club be formed. ’ This was seconded by Mr. G. H. Mackley, General Manager of Railways who, as head of the biggest travel club in New Zealand (the Railway Department), said he had for a long time felt that there was need of such an organisation as the travel club to take a personal interest in visitors. There was no more hospitable people in the world than New Zealanders, but they did not always like to “butt in.” Anything he could do to help the club he would do with the greatest pleasure. Rate of Subscription.

In answer to a question from Miss Amy Kane. Mrs. Macky said that the subscription to the Auckland Tiave Club was 10/- a year, and that so tar thev had co-operated in a friendly au I helpful way with other clubs and organisations who entertained visitors. Indeed in some instances the presidents of such organisations were on the executive of the club. Many visitors to New Zealand did not belong to anv club. In Auckland they acted to a great extent as a clearing-house, wheie people could be put into touch with other organisations. The club was valued as it was always on the spot and could be relied upon to meet Pe Mr. e- L. G. Schmitt (Tourist Department) spoke in favour of the project. Mrs. Knox Gilmer referred to the large number of clubs in existence for the entertainment of visitors and gave a list of them. At the same time she wondered if Mrs. Macky would be as good a "booster” for Wellington as sue was for Auckland. “What is worrying some of us,” said Mrs. Gilmer, “is rhe number of organisations which are doing similar work to the Travel Club in Wellington.” Mr. Hislop said that people liked to form clubs, and the number present at that meeting indicated in a measure that they would like to form a Travel Club On what lines it would be run was a matter for the executive to decide. Mr. C. Mclntyre mentioned the New Zeil landers’ Association as a body which could well undertake the work throughout New Zealand. Its subscription was only 2/6. The motion was carried without dissent.

The following officers were then elected:—Patrons, their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway (subject to their consent): president, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop; vice-presidents. Lady Myers, Lady Shirtcliffe. Lady Roberts, Lady Beauchamp, Sir Michael Myers, Sir George Shirtcliffe, Miss Amy Kane. Mesd.imes Peter Fraser. J. S. Elliott, G. H. Macklev. L. J. Schmitt. Colonel N. S. Falla, Messrs. T. A. Barter. W. Blundell. C. W. Earle. G. G. Steward. C. A. L. Treadwell (all subject to their consent) : honora’v auditors. Messr*. Clark and Mullins. The election of secretary was left to the executive.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr. T. Donovan (organiser), and Mr. Hislop for presiding.