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Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1928, Page 2

Tin: annual report of the Tourist Department indicated that the com-

plaint of the South about preference for the North’Lslaml was not borne out by the figures of travel. This is as we would expect it to lie, for the natural attractions of tlio South aro superior to the North. On this IVcst Coast tho gravamen of the charge against the Tourist Department is that nature and local enterprise lias in the main borne the brunt of the preparation for the traveller. Here, there has been none of that lavish expenditure which lias brought prominent places like Rotorua, IVaitomo etc., into notoriety. The authorities select some favoured point of view and then set about a heavy expenditure to make it attractive. But this natural wonderland does not participate in the prodigal outlay. Here, where nature lias excelled herself we find private enterprise doing what is necessary to provide accommodation and conveniences for travellers. There are several examples of this in Westland, but not a single example of any helpful assistance from the authorities to aid the good work commenced by private enterprise. There is the greatest difficulty in obtaining assistance to build tracks or provide bridges. Even on the main highway south, bridges are still lacking, though the East Const has long been served with these essential requirements. Tho Government policy with regard to The Hermitage is another contrasting example of how favoured places are served. Now we have the expensive hotel going up at Milford Sound, with the remotest prospects of being useful for a long time to come in the general scheme of the tourist traffic. And all the time, according to the returns, Westland, unaided by expenditure from the Tourist Department in practical expenditure to further popularise and dev-clone the district, is growing in favour with the travellers passing up and down the Dominion. In that respect the advertising and publicity directed locally must not he overlooked as a factor in the results achieved. IVhat has been done in tlmt respect has been well done. The booklets issued by local enterprise have l>eon outstanding, and it is not surprising that they impress those into tho hands of whom they fall. There is still room and opportunity for the Tourist Department to assist IVestland, for there are many directions in which new features can be opened up, and the delights' of the district made more accessible to visitors and others.