MUTUAL INTERESTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 206, 28 May 1938, Page 13

MUTUAL INTERESTS

Interchange Of Visits To Dominions “I did not realise before how close New Zealand was to Australia, and, of course, Australia to New Zealand. Only this month I took more than the two and a half days for the Tasman crossing in getting back to Brisbane from one of the State's northern centres,” said Mr. W. J. 11. Wilcox, who has arrived in New Zealand to represent tlie Australian National Travel Association. He is accompanied by his wife, and after a few days in Wellington will go to Auckland, where the headquarters of the association will be | established. “It is no wonder that the passenger interchange between the Dominion and the Commonwealth last year was more than 26,000, and by the time your centennial is celebrated I fully expect that number to have been doubled,” said Mr. Wilcox. “That is just simple arithmetic. Every New Zealander who drops in on Australia in the meantime will be an ambassador for the Dominion and will probably persuade an Australian family to join in the big celebration. The contingent you sent to Sydney for the last Anzac Day march has already done good groundwork. These families in their turn will encourage more of you later to travel west, so within a few years the Tasman should become the scene of an at least thriceweekly ferry service.” World conditions were doing much to bring the sister countries closer, added Mr. Wilcox. Unrest overseas was turning travellers and business men’s thoughts nearer home, and Australia was die natural and nearest outlet for botli play and work.