The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1926. A NEGLECTED ASSET.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1926. A NEGLECTED ASSET.

It becomes more and more apparent as time goes on how neglected the Westland asset as a tourist resort is. For some time the Government has been marking time in regard to its tourist expenditure, but doubtless as a result ef the experience during the late Exhibition period, and the disposition of vistors to patronise tourist resorts as well as the big show at Dunedin, an enlivening interest 'is being manifested, may he also that the

Minister in charge now relieved of the portfolio of finance lias more leisure for Tourist work, and feels less restriction in spending money on tourist resorts, which he in another cap a city is not called upon to provide. Be that as it may, Mr Nosworthy, who lias been jaunting to Rotorua of late, propoes more expenditure in that wellfed quarter, and in addition proposed to do something more for the Milford .Sound walk. It will he noted that there is no reference to Westland or the West Coast! Westland can produce the “finest walk in the world” without reaching a dead end as is the case at Milford Sound and under much more congenial and varied conditions. A well-known writer in New Zealand who went into South Westland some few years ago strolled on from Waiho Gorge and on to Welieka and described that walk as “the finest in the world.” Since tho.se days the walk from Wailio Gorge lias been extended via the Copeland to the Hermitage in Canterbury, a route of varied natural interest. There is further south, the route over the Haast. linking up Otago and Westland. There are other walks from Westland to Canterbury and Otago which arc well known, all of which have attractive features, and which are outside of the category of dead ends. There is no occasion for the tourist to retrace his steps by the road he went in—he may continue on and return to his starting point by quite a different route. But although Westland has all these natural attractions provided in a very generous way, the district continues to he neglected by the Tourist Department. From time to time Tourist officers pass over the terrieory and express their plea--1 sure and gratification at what they ■ see. but never is any Tourist policy developed in regard to Westland. Most of the-advertising and publicity, which the district receives has to he initiated by local enterprise, and help from the Government department has to he extracted as a favor rather than as a right. A well-known Canterbury man recently wrote extolling the Frame Josef Glacier region as a, winter as well as a summer resort. The praise was deserved and well-timed, for the authorities might well consider the special value of all the year round resorts as a factor specially contributing to the maintenance of a steady How of tourist traffic. The fostering of winter resorts is more important, than summer resorts. Their popularity is established, and it would be well to let the country at large, and those overseas, know that all through the year there are resorts in Westland which offer special and unique attractions no less interesting than in the summer season. So far as local conditions go traffic into South Westland would find the winter season one of novelty—distinct from many other parts in New Zealand, which must have a close season. It is for .the Government to assist in giving publicity to local conditions, and in the centres which might well he patronised for a holiday period, set about a policy of improvement which will do for the localities that which the Government is doing lavishly at Rotorua, and what it proposes to do more lavishly for Milford Sound. The summer traffic to Waiho Gorge indicates the popularity of the resort, and if that favor can he carried through the year, it will he a benefit all round. The Tourist Department should help certainly in that direction and it will he a serious omission if something material is not done.