AUSTRALIA AND N.Z

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 208, 27 April 1932, Page 2

AUSTRALIA AND N.Z

ENCOURAGING RECIPROCAL TOURIST INTERESTS FAVOURED FOSTERING TRAVEL Mr. S. W. M. Stilling, representative of the Australian National Travel Association, is at present touring New Zealand in the interests of the association. Mr. Stilling's mission in New Zealand is to foster a better tourist understanding between Australia and the Dominion, and to induce more New Zealanders to visit the Commonwealth. His position was created by a reciprocal arrangement between the New Zealand Government and the Australian Travel Association, which represented the various State Governments, the Commonwealth Government and shipping and commercial interests. For five years Mr. Stilling was manager of the Jenolan Caves, New South Wales. He has paid a number of visits to New Zealand, and knows and appreciates the natural beauties almost as well as he does those of Australia. In 1929, he made a world tour for thc purpose of studying tourist business in other countries, and in 1930 he was appointed to act as the Australian agent on the American cruise-ship Malolo. Theref ore he has had wide 1 experieiice. His firm opinion regarding the world's tourist attractions is that in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the British Empire contains practically the piek of all beauty spots. Speaking of the hard times that are being experienced by Australia, Mr. Stilling says that little of the depression about which one reads so much is noticeable in the cities. "Picture shows and theatres are still attraeting capacity houses," he said, "and evidently there is still plenty of nioney for pleasure." Mr. Stilling eonsiders it a great pity that a New Zealand paper recently published news of the Yictorian police strike. Cabled messages of occurrences may be interesting to some people, but they do incalculahle harm to tourist agencies. It was pleasing to notice that the New Zealand Government was imposing a censorship on cabled dispatches on such subjects. Little harm would be done if only the actual facts were sent overseas, but strikes, riots, etc., were always so hopelessly exaggerated. Encourage Trade Mr. Stilling is very confident that he will be able to encourage more New Zealanders to visit Australia. The New Zealand Government tourist representative and Trades Commissioner in Australia is Mr. L. J. Schmitt, who is stationed in Sydney, and, according to Mr. Stilling, his efforts to encourage tourist trafiic to the Dominion are very enthusiastic and are showing results. Owing to the depressed conditions the tourist traffic between both countries Was showing a tendency to wane, and for this reason it is Mr. Stilling's opinion that the present is an opportune time to put forward a special effort to encourage tourist traffic. More than 2,000 people had tfavelled from New Zealand to see the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and any of these would agree that the impression that the present is not a good time to visit Australia | was quite wrong. The exchange rate j being in favour of New Zealand, 1 people from the Dominion were able to cross the Tasman and enjoy an exchange rate of £18 10s for every £100 spent. Visitors to Australia would find no change in the serviees from the time when things were prosperous, all serviees, without exception, being fully maintained. The operations of the new Southern Pacific Shipping Co. would be another big sjtep towards convenience for tourists. Recent indications from Londori and America showed that the propaganda work being carried out on behalf of New Zealand and Australia was bearing fruit. Almost every steamer coming out brought tourist passengers. "Advertising and publicity bring their rewards," said Mr. Stilling, "and one of the greatest advertising mediums now is radio. In Australia, Mr. Schmitt is able to talk about New Zealand at great length, and I am able to tell New Zealanders about Australia." Australia and New Zealand were a great field for tourists, and Mr. Stilling is confident that they will receive their full quota and more as soon as the present financial depression lifts.