The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. SEEING NEW ZEALAND FIRST

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. SEEING NEW ZEALAND FIRST

The slogan quoted above might be amended so far as the local aspect is comerned, to “See Westland First.’’ This is brought to mind, by the rccounial of the experiences of 'the recent “good will party’’ from Canterbury. The space and services of the Christchurch l’ress and a special reporter were placed at the disposal of the visitors, and as a result much additional publicity was given to the tour. For that publicity Westland as a whole must bo equally grateful, for no mean advertisement lias been accorded the unique attractions of the

Soutii Westland trip to the Glaciers. It was pronounced “a great success” in spite of the adverse weather conditions exiMi'iuiKed, and the .Railway represent a Live who- was L tie pilot of the excursionists, lias stated that lie is sure the Department will repeat the excursion. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers greatly impressed the visitors. The Railway representative regards such a tour as (pate unique, and he was particularly impressed with the possibilities of the district for sueti tours. An event such as this should be. seized upon to keep the tourist possibilities of the district prominently before the Tourist Department and the public generally.. High praise has been passed before, by Ministers and high officials, lint still the measure of support and publicity to develop the tourist attractions of the district are not forthcoming. Private enterprise has done its part well in Westland regarding its share of responsibility in the matter. There are splendid motor services for transport and first-class ho.stelries for tourists. There are the essentials to attract the visitors, and the assets need to he noised abroad to a greater extent than they are. The Tourist Department so far as South Westland is concerned, has been moribund over many years. For a considerable period it was negative as far as Westland was concerned, and so we hear complaints of neglect on all SKies about the indifferent or inaccurate or absolute lack of information as to the Westland tours, and what was to bo seen here. The situation lias improved of late, but there is still room for more to be done. Some changes have taken place at headquarters of late, and there is the promise of a marked improvement. For that reason the eulogy of the Christchurch trippers might well be brought to the notice of the tourist officers in the several centres, so that they will have every reason for advocating tours to Westland. The party who recently enjoyed their brief stay in the district were all new corners, and they all went back to their homes greatly rejoiced at their experiences, and as was remarked “would he valuable walking advertisements for the next tour.” .More should be made of the glacier trip over the winter period. It is at this period of the year when the mountains are more impressive with their winter mantle, while the air is dearer, and the high peaks are freer from clouds. It is a very enjoyable and healthy time to visit the south, the atmosphere being more bracing. Traffic is certainly less congested and there is a better chance for enjoying all the features of the journey with greater consideration for comfort. These are the days when New Zealand products are being specially pressed upon the people, and the commodity in respect to scenery in Westland might well be noised abroad, and the holiday-bent public urged to see Westland first. The highest praise has been passed upon the southern wonderland with its special charm, in lake and mountain and forest scenery, and all who can should participate in enjoying the good tilings which nature has so lavishly provided. A persistent publicity campaign to that end should well repay the effort, and the province would profit accordingly.