LIVE ANIMALS AND BIRDS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21414, 5 March 1935, Page 12

LIVE ANIMALS AND BIRDS

SUGGESTED ATTRACTION FOR TOURISTS HON. ADAM HAMILTON BACK FROM AUSTRALIA (From Our Parliamentary Reporter. 1 WELLINGTON, March 4. Although his visit to Australia had the primary object of development of Empire air-mail services, the Post-master-General (the Hon. A. Hamilton) made it his business while in Australia to investigate the possibilities of developing New Zealand tourist trade. He has come back with at least one suggestion for the improvement of the Dominion's tourist resorts —the greater use of native and other animals and birds. He thinks it might be possible to tame and fence in a few deer, opossums, or even rabbits for the amusement of visitors. This idea he had seen developed in some parts of Australia, where wallabies, opossums, and koala bears proved extremely popular, particularly, of course, with children.

Mr Hamilton said to-day that he did not advocate the importation of any of these animals, but that the Dominion's own native and imported animals might be used with very good effect. Native birds would be a great attraction to visitors who otherwise would never have an opportunity of seeing them. Back country resorts might well add to their attractions by keeping one or two native pigeons, or even keas, which, apart from their vices, were certainly interesting birds. Mr Hamilton said he had seen children getting a lot of fun out of watching some tame rabbits playing in a reserve at the Jenolan Caves. Co-operation with Australia "It was very gratifying to me 'o lind that the various travel organisations i both Government and private) in Australia are en the most friendly terms with the New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau and agencies. I believe this is due to the fact that, like ourselves, they recognise that the tourist business is not altogether competitive, but largely one calling for co-operation. I had the pleasure of conferring with executive members of the Australian National Travel Association, and also had talks with representatives of the leading shipping companies and travel organisations in both Victoria and New South Wales. Those who were in a position to express an opinion were highly complimentary in their remarks about the organisation and activities of the Dominion's tourist bureaux in Australia, and of the cordial relationships existing between them and their own bureaux. "With a view to bringing about still greater co-operation, I discussed the question of Australia and New Zealand combining in advertising schemes for the furtherance of the tourist industy. At present both the Australian National Travel Association and the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department arrange in London, for instance, separate publicity displays at exhibitions and in shop windows. It was admitted to me that if something were done in the direction of making these joint affairs, their value would undoubtedly be increased and the resultant benefit would be mutual. This applied also to the syndicating of New Zealand news and photographs through the Australian service in London and America. Likewise, it would be mutually advantageous if, when advertising scenic attractions, each country inserted a paragraph relating to the other. It was pleasing to acknowledge that in some of her paid advertisements appearing in magazines and newspapers published in other countries. Australia frequently inserts reference to the attractions of this country without cost to us."

\<:\v Zealand's Advantages Continuing. Mr Hamilton said: "Arrangements have already been made for Australia to feature the scenic resorts of this Dominion at her government bureaux, and we will accord the same measure of publicity to her attractions. While I was in Sydney, the film, 'Romantic New Zealand,' was being screened, and my enquiries showed that this picture was proving extremely popular and drawing large audiences. All the leading advocates of travel with whom 1 came into contact readily admitted the advantages possessed by New Zealand in the matter of scenic al tract ions, and that the efforts to advertise them have been successful will be apparent when I say that almost every person f met during my visit —and many of them have not yet been in the Dominion—made mention of our wonderful tourist attractions. I was able to pay a visit to the Jenolan Caves and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, and also Mount Buffalo, in Victoria. Although unfavourable economic conditions had naturally an adverse effect on tourist traffic, business is rapidly improving. By reason of its geographical location the Commonwealth of Australia is still our best drawing ground, and this is shown by the fact that some 60 per cent, of our tourists come from that country."