The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY Ist, 1925. PUBLICITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY Ist, 1925. PUBLICITY.

Tin:UK is a sad lark of publicity matter about Westland in the various publications officially issued by the Government of late. In some instances nought appears at all in reference to Westland, in the latest Railway booklet, luridly colored to attract, there is the briefest reference to the AVaiho Glacier country. In three or four lines the locality is just mentioned with never a word of how to get there or what to see. In other publications, the omission of mention, or the paucity of the reference, is no less striking. The consequence is the West Coast generally is lieing left out of the itinerary of the people travelling through New Zealand. A ease or two in point has just noon reported to ns. Meeting some oversea visitors at Mt. C’ook hostelry a West Coaster »as informed by Melbourne visitors making a first trip to New Zealand, that they had never heard or been informed of the “West Coast glacier trips. In another instance, oversea travellers by an Australian steamer said the literature distributed on the boat, indicated that seven or more days might be spent at the Hermitage but one day would suffice for the AVaiho Glacier! These instances indicate how the district is lieing neglected. The subject might well be probed to ascertain who is the cause for what appears to be studied neglect. And while the culprit is l>eii g located, it would he as well to see | that for the coming season a special | effort is made to advertise the AA’est Coast and AA’estland in particular. During next season the exhibition at Dunedin will be running, and crowds of visitors from overseas will lie flocking to New Zealand. The district should in the first instance lie well advertised at the exhibition itself where a stand should lie secured for the purpose. There should he a special display of I scenic views, and all available literature illustrated should lie available for intending travellers, and everything passible done. to attract visitors westward while touring the Dominion. In particular the Government publicity officer should be acquainted with £

the past, and invited to rectify the damage done bv the neglect. An active effort with the best propaganda matter should ho made, and it should Ire attempted with the will to succeed. Only by that means can he it hoped to attract attention. It must he borne in mind that other committees are no less active in their efforts, and they are doing good work. It is for this community to emulate what n bcdiig done elsewhere and so participate in the profits derivng from a large influx of holiday-making visitors.