The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY. DECEMBER 27, 1930. HOLIDAY RESORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY. DECEMBER 27, 1930. HOLIDAY RESORTS.

Thu series of articles appearing over the holidays in relation to holidoy resorts in W&stland, indicate that the district is rich in attractive places whom a varied variety of scenery awaits the traveller or holiday maker. The natural attractions of the place are an asset which might well lie made mere of. It is due to private enterprise to say that a great deal is done to cater for visitors who come tliis way. The proprietors of the iiostelries cater will for travellers and at, tail*ill's which are reasonable. In regard to motor transport, no district could bo served I letter or more ofliciontly than Westland is. There are lino fleets of well kept vehicles, and experienced drivers attend them. What is lacking, appears to be outside publicity to cal.cli the eye ol oversea visitors, or to draw New Zealanders Ibis way in greater numbers. Spasmodic efforts are made at times, but tlie,\ are not sustained. The secret o| success in advertising is the proper maintenance of the publicity. This sustained effort has been lacking, due no doubt to tb e want of resources. More

help might he looked for from the Government Department, hut in that' quarter, also, there is a lack of sunfained effort. There in the oft-re-peated charge that the Tourist Department fails to do justice to the South Island resorts, devoting most attention to North Island features. A complaint along the usual lines was repeated by oversea visitors lately, who complained that on incoming steamers little literature regarding the South Island was available, while plenty wah at hand together with, personal information, regarding the North Island. No doubt Westland is specially concerned in this complaint for there is very lfttie literature issued by the Tourist Department about Westland scenes and resorts. Plenty of flaming posters and highly coloured booklets aro distributed in relation to the North Island, but this class of literature is not issued for Westland. Wluit has been done with regard to illustrated booklets, emanated principally from local enterprise, and the bulk oil the cost was provided locally. There is thus a genuine grievance, at the continued neglect with regard to adequate publicity covering the unique natural features contained . within Westland. In regard to access, the 'Government and the local body have done well with the roading. Thanks to the Highways system, the standard of road has boon advanced, and the madis are maintained generally in first class order for motor traffic. The standard set by the Department has 'been copied by the local body, and in some instances improved on, with the result that in all motoring tours to the chief noints of interest in the district. good roads are there to serve the travellers. There is likely to he some decline, in the normal holiday traffic this season, owing to the general state of the country’s affairs, which is a particular reason wlm greater publicity should be indulged in to keep tbe lend-ng features of the district in the public mind, am- endeavour to draw a, greater percentage of those on the wing, to Wort-land. There is always a changing public phe catered for, and the .publicity which served in Former times will not natch the eye of the new generation. With the growing and changing population, the advertising should he continuous, and bv that means fnc"« will he brought this wav. There is not. auv occasion to underrate the special features of the district. T'h p v am outstanding and in many rosnoots unique, and are worthy the fullest publicity. Nothing else of a similar nature offers in the Dominion, and them is the record enjoyed that all visitors to Westland depart with the pleasantest of impressions of the openie attractions. This good opinion is nriding to the popularity of the district outside, and if that feeling wore just helped at appropriate sea-sons of the vear with useful advertising, the result should he verv effective. The district should certainly afford to make more of its scenic attractions in the general interests of the place.