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Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1932, Page 6

approximately correct we are still a long Vay from the forecast of the late Sir Joseph Ward that some day “not even the meat and dairy industries would bring into New Zealand as much money as the tourists.” There is n° doubt that cheap and well conducted tourist trips between Australia and New. Zealand would be a great advantage to both countries. During the oppressive and / enervating Australian summer thousands would no doubt welcome a trip to New Zealand with its glaciers, snow clad mountains, cool 'bush and other thermal a.nd scenic attractions. . Unfortunately, however, the trip is an expen-ive one. The return trip from Sydney to Auckland, even in what. is now known as the cabin, or second class* is over £2O without; reckoning “incidentals, ’ and this for practically only six days’s sea travelling. It compares very unfavourably-, with the..fares to England, and i* practically prohibitive for those ot limited imeans who . would otherwise have delighted- in a fortnight or three weeks’ trip with moderate comfort and at reasonable raters. There i. a change taking place lately with regard to the class of tourists to be catered for, and this change .has been noted by the big oversew Shipping companies. There is no longer the demand for palatial steamer and hotel accommodation. But if people are to be induced t° travel they must be able to reckon up the cost and find 'the figures reasonable: also to be asured of a reasonable standard ,of comfort, i f more attention were paid to this aspect by the shipping companies and the fourjrt Department no doubt a very large’ increase could b e shown in ’ the passenger traffic be tween Australia and this country, and that would inevitably Jead to increase" generally, in the tourist traffic from other parts of the world.

A 1)1 ‘ old :\Vest Oi tem -were very pleased to learn that Miss Stopfortb had 'drawn the first prize >of £2o™ in the big art union drawn last month and heartily congratulate her on her gocd luck.