HANSARD REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1928, Page 4

HANSARD REPORT

Speaking in the House on July 26th to' the annual report of the Tourists and Health Reports Department, MlSeddon (Westland) said:— Mr Seddon (Westland). —It always seems to me to bo a futile proceeding to discuss a report which we have not seen; and it seems even moro futile to-day, when the Minister in Charge of the Department, of whom questions might ho asked, is absent. However, 1 am forced to quote from last year’s report, which contains tho latest information available to members. Tlmt report refers to tho quostion of revenues, though. 1 do not think any one regards tho Department as a profitearning institution. Tho figures arc most encouraging. Last year the revenue showed an iiiereaso from £55,391 to £91,674. In 1922 it amounted to £40,246 only, 'flic difference between revenue and expenditure last year was only £14,704, or £699 less than the previous year, while this year it is, as tbe Minister indicated, £II,OOO. Indirectly, of course, tourists who come to New Zealand nro a source of revenue—tboy patronize tbe railways, tbe motor services, and tho hotels. I notice by the report before me that now agencies have been opend in various cities of tbe world, nlul I would like to be assured that these agencies nro fully informed as to'the attractions of the Dominion, and tlint every part of the country receives duo recognition. In the following places overseas agencies have been established: Sydney', Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Calcutta, Vancouver, San Francisco, Durban, Johannesburg, London. Ido not think the scenic attractions of any particular part of the Dominion should be unduly emphasized at the expense of those in other parts. I nytiee that a considerable amount of space in the report lias been devoted to Rotorua —more I think than shiiild hnve been, given, in view of that allotted to a" description of other parts. Pages are devoted to Rotorua—to its water-supply; its drain-, age, its revenue, its gardens, acclimatization, deer-shooting, trout-fishing, feathered game, and its Balneologist's report; while the attractions of Kelson and the West Const are disposed of in the one column. Of course, we knoiv that the institution at Rotorua belongs to tbe Government, and that may account in part for tbe space, accorded to it. Again, a page and a half is given overt to a deserijitioii of the climbs which linVe been made at the Hermitage, flic names of the parties, and the names of the guides who were iii charge of the parties. Yet we find in only one line a record of the climbs achieved on the West Const side. If this is to be an official report—and we look upon it as such—surely to goodness the West Coast, on which side climbs have been made and which is in every way comparable with the eastern side in the matter ,of attractions, should have the same publicity as the Hermitage. I see tho Minister smiling, but \

Tbe Hon. Mr. F. J. Rolleston.—The West Coast climbs are recorded tin's year.

Mr Seddon.—'That shows how futile it is to discuss a paper that we hav. not seen. I have only the report of last year to go by, and 1 am pleased to hear that this year’s report is removing an injustice, inasmuch as any one reading the previous report would think there were no climbs or other attractions on the West Coast. It is to he hoped that it will not be necessary to point out these omissions in future. In connection wit'll my own electorate, f want to ask tbe Minister whether the different centres oil the West Const ere being advertised as they should Ik 1 . AVo have had recently on tho AYest Coast about four or five hundred farmers, from Southland and Otago, and they expressed surprise at the scenic attractions existing in tho Greymonth district. They knew nothing of them;

. nd 1 think that is typical of the knowledge of these parts by other people throughout the Dominion. The Minister will realize that the West Coast, despite, shall we say, lack of attention, is coming into its own and is being visited by a great many tourists. At the same time, it might bo possible to advertise, for the information of people coming to the West Coast, that they can go from Groymouth to different places, using Groymouth as a centre ; and it is quite worth while to stay there not only lor a day, as they usually do, hut for at least two or three (lays. The leader of the Opposition recognizes, as we all do on the West Coast, that once the Coast road from Westport to Greymouth is completed—and it will be completed shortly—there will he no finer coast road in New Zealand. Ido not want to make comparisons with the const road mentioned by the honourable member for Oliinemuri this afternoon; but I do want to say that the coast road from Westport to Greymouth will compare more than favourably with any other road. Apart altogether from being a main highway, it will he available for use by people living in Greymouth who wish to go to Punakniki Beach to see the blowholes and other attractions in that locality—a very interesting day’s journey. There is another interesting day’s journey ’from Greymouth that is never properly advertised, That is to Take Brunner, where there are motor-boat excrusions to Cashmere /Bay Mitchells and Orangihoki River, irishman’s, and other places. In tact, a tourist can ho very well entertained in the Greymouth district for quite a week. And I have no hesitation in suggesting that the Tourist Department advertise this fact. Then, as to Hokitika, we find that the people there have advertised their district at their own expense; and I think it speaks very well lor the Tourist and Acclimatization Society and the Progress League there that they have instituted lectures, and that one gentleman—Dr. Teichelmann —has travelled advertising the district so that the people of New Zealand can themselves see what is awaiting them when they go to Hokitika. Dr. Teichelmann has recently gone to Christchurch, and, with his films and lantern-slides, is giving evidence to the people there of what can he seen on the West Coast. A great deal of credit is due to the people of Hokitika for the way in which they liavo advertised their own district. At tlie present time trips from tlio town can lie made which would occupy a tourist for a week, without troubling to go on to the Franz Josef Glacier. For instance, besides Lake Knnieri and tlie drive around it to Dorothy Falls, there are tlie Whitcombc and Browning Passes, which can lie visited with tlie greatest ease; and there some of the finest scenery in New Zealand can be seen. As to tlie trip to tlie Franz] Josef Glacier, it is not generally known | by motorists that tlie Public Works Department lias a programme for construction of bridges over nil file creeks between Hokitika and tlie glacier. There are, I think, seven creeks yet to bo bridged—all tlie rest of tlie bridges arc completed—and already people can start out from Hokitika with confidence that they need not tie stopped because there is a shower of rain. It will take n most unusual flood to slop a motorist from getting through now. 1 would, however, suggest to the Minister tlie construction of hotter tracks about tlie glacier itself—to make it more accessible, and also the provision of more accommodation at tlie Defiance Hut. If a party of any size arrives at the but now they will not find sufficient accommodation. The same l conditions obtain at tlie Fox Glacier. If morel hut accommodation were provided there

it would ho grcntly appreciated liy the public. Another fact which is not advertised by the Department, is that, apart from tho Fox and Fran* Josef Glaciers, there is a great attraction at Oknrito, where artists say that tho finest view of Mount Cook can he obtained. There is excellent accommodation, too, at Oknrito. At Fox Glacier there is a now accommodation-house which will accommodate fifty people; but no tourist can get there at present because tho road between it and the Franz Josef Glacier lias been damaged by a flood, which washed away tbe AVatkupukupu Bridge and part of tbe road. And not only- the tourist traffic; lint the settlers are suffering in consequence. I believe that the Public AVorks Department lias started to carry out repairs, but there can be no traffic until both road and.bridge arc put in order. With the reconstruction of the bridge over the Cook River and the formation of a few tracks tho! ox Glacier will become a most interesting place to visit. I feel sure that the honourable member for Walcntipu will speak about the interesting road arcoss the Hnast Pass from Maknrora to the AA’est Coast. I bclieve .it is tho honourable gentlemen’s ambition, and it ooitainly is my wish, that Otago and tbe AVest Coast should be linked up by road. At flio present time there is only a bridle-track over the Pass. It is the finest route in New Zealand, but we want something moro tlitin a bridletrack. AVe want a road that will enable settlers to drive stock over the Pass, and at the same time enable tourists to avail themselves of it. The honourable member for Wakntipu willI am sure, speak on that matter; and bo has my.assurance tlint tbe people of the AVest Coast will co-operate in havincr the road constructed. Then, there is°aiiother climb in South AVestlaic which is not properly advertised; ■l could he advertised and attract a great number of tourists, and that .is the climb over tho Copeland Pass. A few made the trip this year, hut not ire many as might. Those who did .enjoyed it very.much, and were surprised to find how simple and easy-it was. _ hope that matter will also be noted. Towards the end qf last year the Rig Hon. Mr..' Amery came over the Cm ham Saddle from the Hermitage to tl<Frijnz Josef Glacier, and I think i that visit of Mr Amery’s we had tl finest advertisement the AVest C'oasl has ever had.' He was amazed, nt tli grandeur of the scenery, and amazed at the fine hush he saw when lie got t Fniii,s Josef Glacier. When asked iv to what he though of it, lie said n compared favourably with the fines scenery he had seen in the world; and he also referred to the matchless guide Peter Graham', who took him and his party over from the Hermitage to the glacier. Visits like that will do th place a wonderful lot of good; but, ai the same time, 1 feel quite sure tliai the Minister will see that these placer are properly advertised, and that the accommodation also is advertised; hecaus-. .it is quite first class. II that is done wc shall get a great influx of tourists in tho near future. 1 do not wish to refer to the question touched on by the honourable member for Rotorua in regard to the statement that tourists are discouraged from going south. I have questioned quite a number of people on tho matter, and also asked them i, they could give any evidence as to the alleged favouritism by the Department towards the North Island to tho prejudice of the South. 11l every ease one finds the evidence indefinite, and certainly it.could not be.found that any particular officer of the. Department could lie charged. I feel quite sure, so far as the head of the Department is concerned,,that nothing could ho further from his wishes or his thoughts than that tho South Island should he prejudiced in favour of the North. A* the same time, there is,the impression that Rotorua being so boosted and boomod, and being a Government property, results in the'South Island being somewhat neglected. T wish to say, with reference to the statement I made this afternoon, the Department’s partiality to Rotorua is assumed from the consideration and space it gives it in the annual report; and I would ask the Attorney-General, if he is taking over this Department in the absence of the Hon. Mr Nosworthy, that he will see in a report such ns this, which is indicative of the Government’s attitude towards Westland ami Nelson, that these particular districts receive the attention they deserve, and not give them one short paragraph and then dismiss them, while other places of less interest are given so much space. >