GOVERNMENT POLICY ON TOURIST TRADE

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the encouragement of the tourist trade, on the contents of the New Zealand expert's report, and on whether it is intended to carry out the latter's recommendations.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Sir, the report is now under consideration and I am therefore not in a position to make a statement yet, but hon. Members may perhaps have read in the newspapers that the Pacific Area Travel Association has agreed to Singapore as the venue for the 1959 conference.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of what the Minister said regarding the meeting of this Association in Singapore in 1959, and in view of the spadework needed before this conference, will he consider the immediate secondment of a whole-time officer to give full attention to this matter and to take up the task of setting up the tourist bureau?

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Sir, in view of the fact that the report is now under consideration, I cannot give any such assurance now. The matter will be fully considered when the report comes up for Government's decision.