NEW ZEALAND PRAISED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1929, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND PRAISED

AMERICA’S HIGH REGARD. That American tourists continue to hold a. very high opinion of New Zealand is exemplified in a conununicaton received l.y the Government Publicitv Department from Air Rreekenndge Armstrong, a prominent official ot the Union Pacific System, one of America’s great railroads, who recently toured the Dominion.

“Some Europeans,” said Air Armstrong,” after spending only one month in the United States, have set forth in newspaper columns magazine article or lectures, very settled convictions on their parts as to our governmental affairs, industries, educational systems, literature, scenic attractions End manifold other items on which they pretend to have the most prol'und .first-hand’ knowledge. 1, as the American visitor here for the first time (I sincerely hope not the last) should consider myself unwarrantably presumptions, after six months in New Zealand, if 1 were to record final detailed judgement on almost every conceivable tiling pertaining to your nation. NATION OF HEALTHY PEOPLE.

“Howeyer, even in that too briei period, one who lias visited both' the northern and southern section of vour country is convinced of certain facts: that this is indeed a. forward-looking lonvard-striding nation of healthy, sturdy, sell-reliant and resourcelul people; that, having had to pioneer tneir way chiefly within the memory of the present generation, ’’they have accomplished very notable achievements in many forms; that geographically, climatically, and productively, New Zealand is truly remarkable; that •scenic-ally it is indeed outstanding; and that its people, as indivduals and .oltectively, in their hospitality to the stranger, are truly lovable.

COUNTRY'S BASIC EXPORTS

“Your basic exports of wool, frozen meat, dairy products, etc, are becoming more world-renowned than ever before; as also are tne attractions which you have to offer to the visitors who may be bent primarly or incidentally upon recreation and the enjoyment of vour superb natural s conery. This is coming about efficiently and successfully through painstaking publicity in variohs thorough End attractive forms and tourist departments, and by the similar splendid work being done on ilie part of the steamship companies, that serve your ports so dependably and excellently. As one whose business and luuiay both have been travel, and who has a .deep-seated love oi natural beauty, .1 have enjoyed to the utmost your superb mountains, with peak s and glacial fields of the first order; your charming lakes and waterfalls; amazing beautiful fibrds and intensely interested thermal regions. these, and more, voit have been blessed with so prodigally; I would argue that your own people, in ever-increasing numbers, see thoroughly and often these amazing benutiliul spectacles. Efficient steamship, railway, motor and hotel interests have maae them all so comfortably accessible. I hope that our people, whose trend to travel is already fast extending to Hawii and the the Orient, will journey more and more to the South Pacific and see New Zealand.”