SCENIC WONDERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20509, 10 January 1935, Page 10

SCENIC WONDERS.

American Interest in N.Z. Scenery. MORE . ENTERPRISE NEEDED. CSpec-inl to the “Star/-) AUCKLAND, This Day. “During my recent - lecturing tour in the United States people l met were enthusiastic in their admiration of the British system of justice, the London police, the English banking system, and the maginficent attitude of patriotism displayed bv the English people during the‘crisis of 1931,” said Dr. Bernard Mvers, C.M.G., brother of the late Sir ‘Arthur Myers, in an interview to-day. “When I said that, the same Empire spirit obtained in New Zealand and other parts of the British Commonwealth, they were thrilled.” he added. “Approval was also expressed wherever I went of the English system of broadcasting, which prohibited advertisements of any kind,” continued Dr. Mvers. “I found in many <jf the homes I visited that the abuse of the advertisement habit in the United States was doing a great deal to take away the popularity of home receiving sets. Friendship For Empire. “The most pleasing feature of my American travels was the marked friendship I found everywhere for the British Empire, and I took every opportunity that presented itself to inform those with Whom I came in contact with of the Britisher’s great admiration for the United States, a country sharing the glorious traditions of England with all parts of the British Empire. Both nations have a common language, while their principles of justice and sportsmanship spring from the same foundations. Of still more importance. Great Britain and the United States are possessed of the highest form of civilisation ever known to man —a civilisation of which the ancient Greeks or Romans would have been proud—and which to-day is so essential for the friendly settlement of international friction and suspicions. “At dinners, luncheons and other functions which I attended in America there was always a desire expressed to hear something about the Dominions, and I was frequently asked for lantern slides depicting scenery and life in New Zealand. In many instances I promised to forward to friends postcards showing glimpses of the Dominion’s scenery. In no other portion of the globe can scenery be found mord wonderful and varied. It encompasses all that can be found in the mountains of Switzerland, the fiords of Norway and the hot springs of America. In addition, there are forests in New' Zealand that equal or surpass the finest to be found in other countries, but if the New Zealand public, with the aid of the Government, set themselves out to attract tourists from all parts of the world certain requisites are necessary. Money must be spent in advertising in such countries ns Great Britain and Ireland, in the United States and Canada, in South Africa and Australia, and in the Near and Far East. Importance of Transport. “Ample and efficient transport must be provided to and from New Zealand in luxury liners; suitable and sufficient hotel accommodation is an important factor, as also are good local transport facilities, in which luxury railway cars and, if necessary, observation cars, play their part. With such provision it would not be difficult to visualise 100,000 tourists visiting New Zealand annually in a comparatively short period from the present time. If the average expenditure of tourists per head were equal only to the small sum of £2O it would mean the distribution within the Dominion of £2,000,000 a year. So valuable an asset would no doubt increase in value in the course of a few years.”