TOURIST DIFFICULTY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11739, 29 January 1924, Page 6

TOURIST DIFFICULTY

“ POOR ACCOMMODATION “ VISITOR ON NEW ZEALAND’S DRAWBACK. “BAD FOR BUSINESS.” The lack of proper accommodation for overseas travellers in this country was the subject of comment by Mr Charles E. E. Childers, British Consul at Pittsburg, U.S.A., in the course of a farewell chat with a “New Zealand Times” representative before he left for ’Sydney. Mr Childers, an experienced traveller, is now on his second tour of the world within the past three years. He has lived in the United States for 40 years, and has visited Europe on numerous occasions during that period, as well ae levisiting Australia, the land of his birth, where incidentally his father was one of the first Ministers. The Right Hon. Hugh Childers while in Australia received a political education which stood him in good stead when years later he was called upon to fill important offices of State in several of the Cabinet? of Mr Gladstone. “One hears on every- hand.” said Mr Childers, “that New Zealand wants to encourage the tourist traffic, and very naturally so. It is very profitable, and your beautiful young country has much to offer in return. But you will never attract the numbers here that yon should if you do not improve the accommodation for them. Tire American tourist likes to be comfortable while he is away from home, and, of course, he is. quite willing to pay for it.” During liis stay in the Dominion. Mr Childers toured the South Island, and he was eloquent in his praise of the scenic attractions offered there for inspection by the tourist, particularly the Southern Alps and Mount Cook. “A WONDERFUL COUNTRY.” “I would not have missed it.” he declared, “for it is as fine ae anything I have ever seen in Switzerland.” With the exception of the hotels in the main centres, the Hermitage, and one or two others he stayed at. Mr Childers did not consider that the accommodation offered was at all an incentive for a visitor to return. This, he considered, was bad for business, and not in the interests of New Zealand. “The trip across to this country,” he added, “is really for Americans a comparator ely cheap one. They often pay as much again for the run across to Southampton, where the distance is, of course, so very much less. It is not tho expense that they trouble about; they require comfort and attention when thev arrive here.” “New Zealand is a wonderful little country. There is an extraordinary variety to offer a visitor to its shores. The people are kindly and hospitable, and I do not desire to cast any reflection on them in any way. but this is just a matter of importance to overseas travellers which might very well be adjusted to mutual advantage.”