TOURIST TRAFFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1928, Page 4

TOURIST TRAFFIC.

RED TAPE RESTRICTIONS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

NELSON, Jan. 16.

“New Zealand is acting wisely in endeavouring by various means to attract tourists to the Dominion, but the irritation and annoyance caused by the excessive use ol red tape when they arrive, serve to counteract' the effect of its publicity campaigns, and are a bad advertisement."’ That is the opinion of Sir Benjamin Fuller, who was in Nelson over the week-end, in continuance of a motor tour through both islands.

Speaking of Ins exjiei'ieiice in bringing his motor ear into the country, which were related in the public interest, and not as an expression of a personal grievance, he said lie had called on the Secretary of the Automobile Association in Sydney to ask him for any advice that might facilitate his movements on arrival at AVellington. The Secretary’s reply was significant. “I could more easily frank your car to and through England, Europe and the United States ol America, than 1 could to New Zealand.” he declared. He also stated that, of the hundreds of tourist motorists who had contemplated taking their cars o the Dominion in the past twelve months, only one had done so, after ascertaining the difficulties involved.

Sir Beniamin had brought his car, hut. liclni'c it could he landed, however. he had lo do|Hisii £250 in cash—a -nhsiantial hornl to ensure that the reqiiiremciu.-i of custom.; law would lie fulfilled. As he had his own business organisation “to call mi.” that did not cause him as much concern as it would other traveller- differently situated. That, however, did not end the matter. An assistant was about to drive hi- car mi' the wharf when he was plainly informed that he would he arrested if he did so. The car had New South AA'alcs number plates, and was not registered in New Zealand. It could only he lowed off', and must not lie driven under its own power, not even to the Rost Office, where a. registration fee . had to he paid and new number plates obtained. A New South AA’alcs motorist going to A’ictoria or vice versa, merely reported at the nearest police station, and there was no further trouble. “This rpuutry has .scenic attractions unsurpassed in any part ol the* world,’ continued Sir Benjamin. “bill not nearly enough overseas visitors are coming to see them. From Australia alone, von should be receiving tourists who would spend at least half a million annually—money that would go into general circulation and add to the general prosperity—hut many of the would-be visitors arc reluctant to face the red tape harriers and regulations, maybe well intentioned but officialdom interpret-, them rigidly and there is 110 elasticity.”

Sir Benjamin doubis very much whether the heads •>! the Government are aware of Ihc exteui to which the tourist traffic k discouraged by the methods adopted.’' Aon arc endeavouring to make your roads smooth, and the. petrol tax to which we visitors also contribute, is assisting to achieve that object. hut I would strongly advise New Zealand to do its utmost to make the road across the Tasman smooth, lie concluded.