TOURIST TRAFFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1928, Page 2

TOURIST TRAFFIC

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S OPINION

AUCKLAND, Oct. 17

“We are in my opinion, negligent, if indeed not indifferent, to the huge possibilities open to this country bv a proper, well directed, regular system for people to come and go through New Zealand under the Tourist Department,” said Sir Joseph Ward in a speech last night. “It is calculated that in Can add last year £27,000,000 was left in'the country by tourists and it is expected that a great increase yearly w.ll he effected.. They are building great hotels with hundreds of rooms in them in that' dominion to help to further tliis traffic. In other countries that one could name, the amount spent by tourists is far larger than in Canada.

"we have in New Zealand natural attractions*, probably not equalled in any other country in the world. One of tlie great complaints now is that tourists cannot avail themselves of even a quarter of the attractions that

.\e possets'. A system, is needed by wliicli tourists landing in Auckland could visit the wonders in- that province, and go right through the country, taking in Franz Joseph tJlacier, .Mount Cook, the Southern Lakes and occasionally Milfoid Sound in a reasonable period. Owing to the want of proper steam services in the south, they ..re seldom able to do this. Those who arrive at the south end should be able to go through toe Southern Lakes, . vist the scenery oil the West Coast and go on through the North Island. The hulk of the po >ple who visit the country for pleasure do not like going back over the same ground.. .It is surely worth, some expenditure to insure a regular and complete service that would enable this great business to he do/jaloped, The money left in the country hy tourists is ready ‘found’ money and would in time add materially to the wealth of our country. If you lake the value of our wool clip and compare it with one year’s money left in Canada hy the tourists at the present time, you have a striking illustration of what an advantage it would’ be to have an outside channel for attracting tourists and their money. • , “There > s 110 country in the world that possesses anything like the diversity and the extraordinary attractiveness of the New Zealand tourist resorts, and we ought, under reasonable and effective arrangements, to have a continuous stream through this country at least during the summer nmnihs. It should not be looked upon as a sentimental matter, hut from the 1 road basis of a great business undertaking.