MORE TOURISTS FOR AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 133, 26 August 1927, Page 4

MORE TOURISTS FOR AUCKLAND

COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN “I see everyone, people of all sorts, mixed up and shaking hands with each other because they have got together on what looks like a community effort. Good luck to you!” This was how the Rev. Jasper Calder referred to a particularly well-attended meeting in the Unity Hall last evening in the “community campaign” to assist the tourist trade, and establish Hotel Auckland. The chairman was Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who said that the encouragement of tourist traffic, and proper accommodation in New Zealand, was the most feasible and productive method of off-setting some of the Dominion’s huge expenditures, including the millions spent annually on motor-cars. Last year the American national parks saw 15,489,000 visitors, and a great number of these wanted something new, like New Zealand. Canada was profiting, and in 25 years had worked up a tourist income of £80,000,000 annually. The Government was prepared to do its share, but there must be some private support. Mr. W. J. Keys stressed the accommodation necessities, and showed, by lantern slide, many fine views of New Zealand attractions. He also remarked that parochialism would get them nowhere, and the whole Dominion must work to the one end. Two Labour representatives, Messrs. C. Norris and Beamish, heartily supported the movement. Mr. Morris said he could see they were going to make Auckland buzz. The city had a lot of bees, but they had not made much honey so far. “We are not supplying the accommodation these Americans want,” remarked Mr. Beamish. “Last time they came they brought their own hotel with them —a floating one.” “Perhaps a parson supporting a hotel, does not appear to you as quite right,” remarked the Rev. Jasper Calder. “As far as I am concerned the hotel side doesn’t interest me—l mean the naughty side.” (Laughter). “I believe these buildings must come, here and all through New Zealand. Doles and doss-houses should not be necessary in a country like this, which should make millions from tourist traffic.” The meeting passed a motion moved by Mr. L. Clark stressing the necessity for providing better facilities for tourists.