Propaganda Against Invercargill Trust Hotels Unwarranted

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1947, Page 2

Propaganda Against Invercargill Trust Hotels Unwarranted

P.A. INVERCARGILL, May 22. Some resentment was expressed in an ( interview to-day by Mr Barnett, ± rust secretary, at propaganda appearing in northern centres comparing the temporary licensed pres erected by the Trust with permanent hoiei premises elsewhere. Proper comparison, he claimed, should be with the new Hotel Southland at Kew, or the Grand Hotel, on which the Trust had spent a good deal of money in erection and renovations. About seventeen thousana pounds were spent on the construction of the new Hotel Southland, and over four thousand on furnishings. Linoleum used therein cost £6OO, and carpeting another £550. Alterations and renovations io the Grand Hotel involved forty thousand pounds, while over £20,000 was expended on new furniture plans, and equipment including £1,500 for linoleum, at least the same sum for carpeting and high-class crockery and silverware for use in these premises was on order.

Mr. Barnett also emphasised the fact that lull staffs were employed in these premises.