AUCKLAND HOTELS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 12

AUCKLAND HOTELS

Sir, —You recently published an article in which Mr. H. E. ,Vaile is reported to have criticised the local hotels. I cannot resist the temptation to reply to this New Zealander's criticism. I havo spent about 25 years travelling about the United States. Not a city or town- has escaped me in any one of the 48 States. Under such circumstances one should be thoroughly familiar with the American hotel situation. Unquestionably their physical facilities are unsurpassable, made so 1 bv tremendous patronage. A high percentage of our 120 million population, pins millions of annual visitors, do much travelling. Even then, very few .American hotels are being operated at a profits Many haven't paid dividends since prohibition became effective. However, tha Auckland hotels which I have experienced offer something more than physical facilities. They extend to their ghests a cordiality and friendliness which is not known in our hostelries. Any American who comes to New Zealand demanding the hotel accommodation he has enjoyed in the States is just as unreasonable as if he were to request that the vehicular traffic be reversed so that he. might feel at honio. The great charm in globetrotting is to experience a change, lhafc is the motive which impels practically all people to leave their native lands. If tins country were very similar to the L. ; nite'l States it would lose its appeal. Although your hotels may lack some of the modernity which characterises ours, they far offset this deficiency by personal interest, splendid service, commendable cleanliness and excellent food, all at rnujh lower prices than we are accustomed to. If greater conveniences were to be had the tariff would have to be greatly increased, and I doubt if paying patronage would result. The article above referred to also included this sentence, "Another thing that militated against the tourist was the 'insane liquor Jaws.'" Coming from a country which has been practically ruined by a fanatical attempt to enforce unenforceable prohibition, I a;rn in an excellent position to draw comparisons. Since coming hero two weeks ago I ha\« been amazed at the distinct absence of drunkenness. I haven't witnessed a singly instance of excessive drinking in either of your two principal hotels, and rhust conclude that the people whom I have met, both in public and private, are very moderate drinkers. Availability always decreases desire. Dn. A. L. Lewis.