“TELLING AMERICA ABOUT NEW ZEALAND”

Grey River Argus, 5 April 1948, Page 8

“TELLING AMERICA ABOUT NEW ZEALAND”

(By Miss Bathie Stuart travelling representative in the United States for New Zealand Railways) In America I am a lecturer, telling Americans about New Zealand and the unique attractions we have down here. My work in the United States takes me before all manner of people not only the cultured and leisured classes, who are members of exclusive study clubs, but the work-a-day people, and the students who attend the popular Education Forums. The youth of America is keenly interested in speakers from foreign lands, if the topic has an appeal to them. They crowd into the auditoriums of the great universities and the high schools, and I meet them on campuses from New York to San Antonio—because my territory is very extensive—l travel all over Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana and Texas. The young people are especially interested in our economic system—for instance the fact that the railways are State owned, as are the airways and radio networks in New Zealand. All these public utilities are privately owned in the United States and people are always asking me how socialisation works in New Zealand. Lecture business has become big business in America. It is a form of cultural entertainment and that is practically unknown in this part of the world. In every city and in almost every town in the United States there are Lecture Series, and Town Hall Forums—these being promoted by various sponsors. In some cases private enterprise, and in others Chambers .of, Commerce, University Faculty and students, Service clubs, church groups, and women’s social clubs.

These lecture series are sold on a I membership basis, so there is practically no worry for the speaker as his audience is ready made, and well prepared for his arrival. His sponsors have advertised his topic and have provided the platform from which he delivers his message. Most auditoriums have all the modern equipment. Public address system, lighting, heating, and up-to-date projection for moving pictures. The important lecture bureaus scan the world for celebrities and every season there is new competition in this very crowded profession. In addition to prominent men and women from Europe who speak on international affairs, there are the United States Senators and Congressmen who avail themselves of professional lecture management, and in their recess periods from Congress they sally forth into the lecture arena to deliver addresses on current events and domestic issues. Among the successful political figures of the current lecture season are the Hon. Ernest Gueuning, Governor of Alaska Ellis Arnall, recent Governor of Georgia,- and Harold Stassen, former Governor of Minnesota and now a presidential candidate. These men are all magnificent speakers and command high fees for their lecture assignments. Authors of note —Paul Gallico, -“The Snow Goose”; Jan Struther, “Mrs Miniver”; Major Alexander de Seversky’ “Victory Through Air Power”; Colonel R. V C. Bodley “The Quest” and Osa Johnson “Bride in the Solomons:,” are some of these. Of less interest but a pleasant addition to the lecture series are book reviewers and speakers who discuss the current Broadway plays. There is an ever-increasing trend towards the visual in entertainment and in the field of travel and adventure. But these lectures must be illustrated by colour film. The American audience insists on this, and no other is acceptable. This is another reason for my present visit, to take back with me a 16m.m. colour film, depicting the travel highlights of both North and South Islands. America' offers a vast field for future travellers-. I predict with the greatest confidence that when conditions are more settled and the world neace we all so deeply desire, has been secured, our Dominion will be the Mecca for thousands of tourists and new settlers. Apart from the planned publicity and the special contacts made with leading travel firms in both Canada and the United States—mostly inspired by our New Zealand Government Tourist Office — we are fortunate to have the interest admiration and goodwill of thousands of returned American servicemen who spent many months in our country before leaving to fight the Japanese. The reception these officers and men received here—the welcome in thousands of homes —will evei’ be remembered.

A large majority desire to revisit us not only to renew acquaintances, but hone to have the opportunity of seeing New Zealand as a whole, particularly the charms of the South Island.

Since my arrival in New Zealan’d on this visit manv interested New Zealanders have asked my opinion in view of the crowded conditions of the leading hotels of the Dominion during the summer months, whether a large Influx of wealthy tourists can be adequately and nroperly catered for. My reply is that most of these tours are planned by reputable agencies abroad and with the co-operation of our Government Tourist Departments, all bookings for hotel acccommodation. rail, road air and sea journeys are made in advance. But difficulties must arise when pre-war steamer services are resumed, and when all the overseas coutnries are again in operation. The tourists will come here in hundreds by each steamer offering comfortable and luxurious services—for higher fares, of course, than in 1938, but comparing favourably with the air rates now ruling. This question of accommodation will be most important to visitors as it will be most unfortunate if the tourist traffic should be checked. This traffic nets thousands of pounds—and dollars —annually to this Dominion’s general economy. The need for keeping New Zealand’s attractions before those who have the means to' travel is still essential. A foundation has been laid by the New Zealand authorities in the. pre-war period of 1932 to 1939, but there’s a great deal of competition for the American tourist dollar and other countries have already re-vitalised their staffs and 'officers—Switzerland, Bermuda, Norway and Sweden were among the earlier countries to issue advertised invitations, the Mother Country is doing her best to acquire dollars by opening her doors to thousands during the last summer and the summer of 1948.

The countries of Europe are ready and eager to accept pleasure tourists. Most consulates are prepared to cut all sorts of war-born red tape concerning visas, to make the prospect of visiting and spending money in their respective countries more easy. France, for instance, will pro-

vide a three months visa in three days, and at the same time issue food rationt coupons in New York good for restaurants from Cherbourg to Paris, and the playgrounds of the South of France. The Netherlands recently opened a tourist office in New York. Switzerland will run through a visa in 15 minutes, and Italy, though not now permitted to invite tourists, is ready to handle any number as soon as the treatymakers give her the green light. New Zealand possesses great advantages. It is common sense now that distance is bridged and shortened by adequate air services to advertise the facilities we possesss in the field of sport and the glory that we have in our natural scenery. America has her spectacular Grand Canyon, but. no fiords. She cannot boast as we can of waterways lovelier , than those of Norway—our Milford Sounds, and the majestic beauty of Mitre Peak, have no rivals. Even California’s Yosemite Valley and the rugged mountainous country of America’s Pacific North West have nothing to overshadow our scenic attractions. New Zealand has an jrresistable fascination for the sportsmen /everywhere. Experienced fishermen have discovered that there is nothing to compare with the thrills of our big game fishing. The shark and sail-fishing in the warm blue waters of the Florida coast are tame in comparison with our Makoshark and sword-fishing of the Bay of Islands. Sportsmen 5n .America listen with interest to tales of our famous trout rivers and streams for they have nothing' to equal the Waikato, Taupo and Rotorua districts—even in California and Maine. My American audiences are also astonished to hear about the Waitomo Caves for their widely advertised Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico, though vast and awe-inspir-ing, have nothing to match the celestial beauty of Waitomo’s Glowworm Grottoes. Yellowstone Park, another popular cummer playground to which Americans flock in their thousands, and where one finds all manner of thermal activity, with snouting geysers very similar to Rotorua and Wairakei, cannot compete with the colourful • activity of the nearby Maori villages, where Maori life adds so much to the interest and entertainment of overseas visitors.

Lecture platform audiences love to hear romantic stories about any people other than their own, and very popular are my references to Maori and folk lore. They like the strenuous Haka and the rhythm of the Canoe Poi songs and dances. I often thank mv lucky star for directing me to this study in mv early years an New Zealand, and my good fortune in having the guidance of some distinguished Maori friends, whose ancestors were the Vikings of the Pacific, and who instructed me in the ancient chants which accompany stories of the dramatic voyages of the great Polynesian Migration. It was from mv Maori friends, where I have gone with them into the villages to attend both Tangi and festive gatherings that I listened to the tuneful Haere Ra—the song of farewell now so popular overseas. Sung by Bing Crosby, and others, and recorded for radio, it is the song hit of 1948—a1l the big name bands are featuring “Now is the Hour.” This song is a favourite of mine, as I know it is of yours. Shortly, I must go back to' my adopted country, the United States of America, refreshed by my contacts here. Americans are interested in New and T am looking forward to giving them my own impression of this lovely land—Kai ora tatau tatau katoa.