“WE HAVE GOT THE GOODS TO OFFER”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 5

“WE HAVE GOT THE GOODS TO OFFER”

ROOM FOR DEVELOPMENT IN TOURIST SERVICES

Interviewed on the arrival of the second express from Dunedin last night the Hon P. A. de la. Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, who has just been handed additional responsibilities as Minister in charge of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department, remarked that there was room for the further development of the activities of the Department. “ There is no doubt,” said Mr de la Perrelle, “ the Tourist Department has done well in the past, and I hope for greater development in the future. The originator of the .Tourist Department was the Rt Hon Sir Joseph Ward. He saw the possibilities ahead, and undoubtedly the Department has done well. We've got the goods: to offer, and. from expressions of opinion made to me by overseas tourists—and I have met a good many lately—they are charmed with the attractions of our country. There is, however, need for further development, and, as Minister in charge, I will proceed along those lines. Coming along in the South Express to-day, I was very pleased to get the testimony of an Australian visitor. He said, ‘Your country is wonderful,’ and I said, * So it is.’ ” The Minister said that he intended to visit a number of tourist resorts at the earliest opportunity.