A LIVE INSTITUTION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2787, 3 June 1916, Page 11

A LIVE INSTITUTION

TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEAGUE If there is ono public hody in Now 1 lyinouth that lias justified its existence it is the Tourist and Expansion League. L'ormed about four years ago to "Ixiost" Now Plymouth's scenic and other attractions and resources, it lias conducted steady publicity campaigns that havo dono luoro than anything elso to chango the popular opinion prevailing outside that New Plyniouth was a sleepy phicc. The Loaguo's success is a convincing exemplification of the benoiits of publicity rightly (lirectwl. Tho League, which comprises eonio of the leading men of tho tpwn, used newspaper space judiciously to tell tho outside people of the unrivalled attractions of the town and district. It published illustrated 'booklets, printing matter of many kinds, all atractively got up, and made use of tho kinema to show throughout tho Dominion and Australia views, specially taken, of the magnificent Park, the incomparable mountain, and tho scenic Mokau. It backed up this publicity work effectively. A central office was secured, and a permanent secrotary appointed to attend to inquiries. The secretary (Mr. AY. A. Collis) is in Ins element in catering for tourists and showing .them how best to utilise their time and inonoy in tho matter of trips. In the summer time his hands are kept full.

The result of this publicity lias been more satisfactory than anticipated. Visitors mako 'for Now Plymouth nowadays in such numbers that tho League has at times difficulty in finding-adequate accommodation. In other words, the League's campaigns have achieved the purpose in view. Now it is faced with tho accommodation problem, for which it is endeavouring to find a solution. AVhat is necessary is a seaside hostelry, a building that' would attract holiday-makers and health-recruiters. Nowhere in New Zealand is there a better opening for an in. stitution of the kiud. and tho wonder to the outsiders is that with so many advantages as New Plymouth enjoys tlio opening has not been filled before now. There is scope here for private enterprise, but if this is not forthcoming the citizens should certainly set about build, ing a hostelry. That it would pay from the outsot there can bo little doubt, and even if it did not it would prove a handsome investment indirectly for tho town, for extra visitors mean extra trade and therefore money, and tho Tourist and Expansion League is alive to the necessity. and if private enterprise does not step in shortly, it can be depended upon to give a lead and fill a very Teal need of the town. . Dr. Leatham wis the first chairman, and ho was succeeded by Mr. T. C. List.