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Shipping difficulties have restricted the arrivals for the twelve months ended 31st December, 1947. In order to speed up the immigration scheme the Government has chartered the former hospital ship " Atlantis " for a period of four years. Alterations at present being carried out will increase the passenger accommodation of the vessel from 600 to 900. As the vessel will make three or four trips each year it will be possible to transport at least 3,000 assisted immigrants each year. Every endeavour is being made to secure additional space for passengers. It is estimated that for the year ending 31st December, 1948, 1,630 assisted immigrants will sail in ordinary steamship lines and 852 on the " Atlantis " when she resumes service. This gives a total of 2,482, as compared with 968 for the twelve months ended 31st December, 1947. This figure will be stepped up in subsequent years as the shipping position improves. The problem of housing accommodation is being met by the provision of hostels, and by converting and equipping surplus armed service establishments. Tourist and Health Resorts During the financial year the Government purchased the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel as it was considered necessary for a first-class hotel to be maintained at this outstanding tourist resort and national park. Certain reconstruction work and renovation is necessary in order to achieve the proper standard required, and, having regard to higher priorities, this work is proceeding as rapidly as possible. During the year considerable progress has been made with the renovations which are necessary before the Chateau Tongariro can be reopened. This hotel previously catered for a very large number of tourists, and it is considered essential that accommodation be made available again as soon as possible. Progress has also been made in the renovations and reconstruction necessary to Wairakei Hotel. It is a most popular tourist resort and one which merits the maintenance of a first-class service, and the work now being carried out will achieve this object. During the financial year there has been a marked increase in the number of overseas tourists who arrived in New Zealand. The United Nations Organization has stressed the advantages of the tourist industry as a means of bringing a greater understanding between the peoples of the world and on the material side the overseas funds brought to New Zealand by such travellers are an important factor in the economy of the country, and one which will increase rapidly as additional sea and air transport becomes available.

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