What A Swiss Thinks Of Us

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1949, Page 5

What A Swiss Thinks Of Us

AUCKLAND, Mon. (P.A.)— Three weeks in New Zealand have left M. Hans Vogt, a Swiss company director, with definite ideas about the country's attractions and some simple suggestions about how they could be improved. He is making a world tour, appraising' each country so that he can make worthwhile recommendations to Swiss people who want to emigrate. M. Vogt has already been through the United States, Japan, Hongkong, the Philippines. India. Batavia and Australia. He left by air lor Australia this morning. Here is a precis of what he has to say about New Zealand and its people: HOTELS.—They are better than the reputation they have abroad. I heard Americans and others who have been here say they are rotten, but I found the service high-class and friendly, the meals well prepared, with plenty of choice, the bedrooms clean and comfortable, and, above all. hot water coming through the .hot-water taps, but in some reputable hotels the waitresses only have one menu card. Why not have menus on each tabic in every hotel? IMMIGRATION LAWS.—This fingerprint business you have to go through at the police station makes you feel like a criminal. The form you have to fill in about obeying the laws of the country seems entirely unnecessary. PEOPLE.—They are among the most friendly in the world, and it is a pleasure to move about among them. The bus-drivers are excellent and go out of their way to explain things. DRINKING LAWS.—Ah, yes, they are not too good. It makes'life at a tourist resort very dull. Take Rotorua. There is no place to go at night except for a swim, and the baths close too early. Still, M. Vogt is certain New Zealand has greater attractions than any other land he has seen.' The glaciers and mountains of the South Island outstripped the Swiss Alps. He will recommend New Zealand to would-be immigrants.