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Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1928, Page 2

Thk facilities for motoring tourists entering New Zealand are evidently in need of immediate revision. We are greatly governed by regulation in this country, and it would appear from the complaint made publicly by Sir Benjamin Fuller that oversea tourists who desire to bring their motor cars with them are made amenable at once to various restrictive regulations as soon as they land on a New Zealand wharf.< It is easy to see from Sir Benjamin’s remarks that the regulations are of harmful effect in deterring motorists from visiting New Zealand in their own cars. It is to be hoped the complaint covens a source influential enough to reach the right quarter, anil have the situation reviewed. New Zealand is spending a great deal 011 publicity just now. and if lucre is la be the return hoped for, there must lie facilities for tourists to come and go without undue restrictions where a motor tour may be the main object. Probably this form of transport limy not lit in with the desire to see the New Zealand railways patronised to a greater extent, but so much is said about the roads of the Dominion, and So inuch is being spent on them to improve them for motoring, that an oversea motorist would naturally think of making the grand tour in his own car and with greater leisure. There is the fact also that many of t7ie notable tourist resorts of the "Dominion are remote from the railways, and that in any case some portion of the side trii>s would require to be done by car transport. The ardent and affluent motorist would prefer to do those trips in his own time, if he were encouraged (rather than at present discouraged) to bring liis own motor car to New Zealand. Touring motorists form an increasing hand of sightseers these days. It is plain in New Zealand itself that the communities are now well established on wheels. It is a phase of present day lime. Similar conditions exist in Australia, the United States am! the Homeland, and it would pay the Dominion surely to cater for'rather than to deter the class of traffic referred to. The disposition of the Government to do so much by regulation is not conducive to the best interests of the public welfare. That lias been demonstrated over 11ml over again, and the situation brought to light by Sir Benjamin Fuller is another instance of (lie beneficial effect of a policy rather carried to extremes. The complaint being voiced from so influential a quarter it is to be hoped it will meet the eye of powers who will have authority to have the. cause for the complaint removed, and the. way mud:' plain and simple for touring motorists to pour into our country and so assist. materially to assist, to boost the tourist traffic so much longed for.