TRAVEL CLUB

Evening Post, Issue 12, 14 July 1936, Page 7

TRAVEL CLUB

WELCOMING VISITORS

SPREAD OF GOOD WILL

A large and enthusiastic gathering of Wellington citizens filled the Palm, Lounge of the Hotel St. George last night at the official opening of lha newly-formed Wellington Travel Club. The president of the club, the Mayor,Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, presided. Tha Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Kailways, and the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Acting Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, offered their full synii'pathy and co-operation with the work, lof the club.

Mr. Hislop said that the idea of a travel club was first put forward approximately four weeks ago. In that small space of time nearly two hundred citizens had come forward and expressed with enthusiasm their willingness to further the objects ;of the club, the fostering of a spiirt of.-friend-liness and hospitality to visitors from overseas and from other parts* of New Zealand. The club hoped ;to extend a' welcome, a spirit of good ,'\yill, tot people from other parts of the world, to meet them, to help them when, they were in Wellington, and to form close personal friendships, that would, overcome barriers of race and of distance. (Applause). Mr. Hislop extended a particular welcome to a number o£ American visitors' who were present, including a party of women teachers from Hawaii. ■ ■ - • .

Mr. Sullivan said that as. Minister of Railways He had quite a large interest in the' promotion of travel. He hoped to be able to further'the interests of the club, both in Wellington; aild throughout New Zealand! He was'the representative of a great organisation, one branch of whose activity particularly warranted publicity, ' and that was its work in connection with the new rail-car, the Maahunui. The rail-car opened up great possibilities for the promotion of travel, owing to its greater convenience, speed, comfort, cheapness." Particularly were there possibilities: in the rail-car of inducing the people of New Zealand to take advantage of their own magnificent scenic resorts. . NATIONAL TRAVEL-. SYSTEMS. The Minister said that he had. previously studied methods-, adopted by ; European countries of promoting tourist traffic. He.'had been struck by the great national'systems pf travel," which! permitted the masses of the people to travel properly once every year; With. large funds built up both toy.employyr and employee, the people were'able t.m get away and.enjoy themselves.' B<=! still had his old ambition of promulgating a similar scheme in New Zealand.- He always regarded it as a great social tragedy that so many were not able or were not disposed to see their own wonderful country. Mr. Sullivan praised the object of the club in extending the -hand of hospitality to foreign visitors. It was a very excellent idea, and those who had travelled realised .what a great difference a travel club might have made in the places they had visited. Such a club would enable them to establish real social relations with thepeoples of the countries in which they travelled. Visitors from other parts of the Dominion and visitors from. overseas particularly would appreciate the work of the club. He hoped that the voice of its appeal would be heard in other centres, and that travel clubs would grow up and flourish throughout New Zealand. On behalf of the Government, Mr. , Sullivan extended a hearty welcome to the American visitors, and lie wished .the travel club every possible success. ':■■■' Mr. Martin said that he was not a good traveller but when he looked around he never felt so much like travelling. (Laughter.) The travel club, in conjunction with the Tourist Department, could do a large amount of useful work. The first impression of a visitor was generally a lasting one. If visitors received a poor impression on arrival, it coloured their whole outlook. He was sure that the Travel Club, in conjunction with the Tourist Department, would make the > first impression one of good will, hospitality, and •'■ friendship. The best form of advertisement was certainly a satisfied visitor. The Minister touched on the plan of getting farmers from one locality to k visit other parts of this Dominion to f understand the different soils and the different, methods of farming. The Tourist Department was doing a great deal of useful work in this direction. "SEE NEW ZEALAND FIRST." The Minister said that he believed in the slogan, "See New Zealand First." He was surprised at the number of people who had told him of visits overseas and yet they Sod not seen the wonders, of the thermal region of of Waitomo, nor the majesty of tha Southern Alps. His Department would be only top glad to assist the Travel Club in everything it might: do, both for New Zealand visitors and for travellers from overseas.

Two members of the Hawaiian teachers' party then gave short talks, which are reported elsewhere, and musical items and supper followed.