The Tourist Trade.

Another important step forward was the establishment of the Government Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. Sir Joseph was the leading advocate of the institution which had for its object the management of such places as the Rotorua spa and the world-wide advertisement of New Zealand's glories of scenery, its attractions in sport, and the healing virtues of its wonderful hot mineral springs. The first manager of the new Department, Mr. T. E. Donne, was exactly the kind of man required, and under Sir Joseph he built it up into a most useful branch of the public utilities service. The world soon began to hear all about the wonder and beauty of the country and its unusual qualities of landscape, its shooting and fishing, and its place as the holiday land of the southern world. All through his Ministerial career Sir Joseph fostered this live Department, as an agency greatly necessary in the advancement of the national interest.