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Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1928, Page 2

The early visit of (be General Manager of the Tourist Department to the district suggests that local requirements in need of attention, which arc numerous, should lie marshalled iu order. ami presented to Mr Wilson in concrete form. The district may be tuhl that money is short, and funds are not available, but favoured parts of New Zealand derive very liberal consideration from the Deportment, and in many places expenditure is not at all stinted. In the Parliamentary vote for the development of tourist resorts in the year 1920-27, £.11.981 was spent out of an appropriation or £35,000. The only expenditure in Westland out of the £.11.900, was a paltry £7O! During the present financial year £50,000 has been voted for the Dominion, and only £350 ear. marked for Westland. It is apparent this position should lie stressed belore the General .Manager. Thousands of pounds are provided for the Cold Lakes. Milford Sound, the Hermitage, Kutorua. Waitomo, and other places hi which hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent in former years also. Westland has been absolutely neglected by the Department in respeet to the class of expenditure hero referred to. and it is time there was a heart to heart talk with the authorities to learn the reason why. Mr Wilson's visit will he an opportunity for that pur|xjse. and the local organisations should make the most of the occasion to ascertain the reason for past neglect, and to ask for superior attention in the future. No part of tlie Empire received higher commendation •or its scenic glories than Westland did from Mr Aniery, anil surely that is authority enough to justify the standing the territory should have in iu the eyes of the Government. Westland is a natural wonderland. There is nothing artificial about it. hut improved reading access and more of it, is necessary. Accommodation and shelter are required at various (mints where private enterprise is non-exist-ent. At various centres the Tourist Department is spending thousands just now on hotel accommodation. To quote a few instances, we might mention, Glade House £10,000; Milford Sound £10.000; Russell Club House £500; Waitomo Hostel £22.000. Westland would probably be satisfied with hundreds where other (daces are receiving thousands. Were it not for private enterprise the leading and outstanding parts of Westland, which are unique in all the world according to Mi' Aniery, would lie without adequate accommodation. Yet the traffic- to those places is credited to the Tourist Department, and it plumes itself on the business done. In other places, roads and railways are built: special motor services subsidised; costly steamer services maintained, but here that enterprise is lacking and private individuals have to provide the means of transport. Even in regard to advertising there is a niggardly spirit shown where Westland .is eoneernd, and again private enterprise has to do what it can to help with the necessary publicity. It will be recognised therefore that the visit of the general manager is well overdue in all the circumstances.