DOMINION’S ATTRACTIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 8

DOMINION’S ATTRACTIONS

REPORT OF TOURIST DEPARTMENT

TAI.KKD OUT IN Till: IhHlfiK

(By Tolegraph| (From “The"Mail’s’’’ parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, 26th July. Such an alluring topic did the ’tourist resorts of the Dominion prove to Lie with members of flic House of Representatives yesterday afternoon that they spent over two anil a half hours in extolling their virtues and even that was not enough. By the time the tea adjournment was reached there were still speaker's forthcoming, and as a result tile annual report was “talked out, the Minister in Charge (the Right IJou. Sir Joseph Ward) having no opportunity of replying. The Leader of the Opposition (the Right- Hon. J. G. Coates) asked if the Primo Minister could give any indication of llie Government’s intentions regarding the tourist attractions of the Dominion. New Zealand had within its borders the greatest variety of attractions of any country in the world. Personally, he thought it would require, about £250,000 to fully develop the. attractions of Rotorua, and for that reason he thought that it would be well to map out a comprehensive scheme. It would be a mistake to do anything in a haphazard fashion. Rotorua had been neglected in the past. Mr Coates also spoke of the desirability of developing Te Amin and Milford, particularly in tile direction of improving access by road. Mr Coates thought the time was opportune for the Government to seriously consider the development of the tourist resorts of the Dominion.'

A strong plea for the claims of South Westland was put in by Mr J. O'Brien (Westland), who said the district had been neglected by the past Government. •Mr S. G. Smith (Taranaki) said it had been very refreshing to hear the candid admission made by Mr Coated that such an important resort as Rotorua had been neglected in the past. Mr Smith agreed that there was need for a progressive policy in regard to the tourist resorts, and went oil to paint a glowing picture of the many beauties of Taranaki.

The claims of Kawau Island were advanced by Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), who described tlie island as one of the most beautiful spots in the Dominion!. The island had interesting historical associations, and it should be protected hv the Government. Mr C. if. Clinkard (Ro-torun) thought that tourists should lie 'given an opportunity of landing at one end of the Dominion and leaving at the other end. He extolled the beauties of Rotorua, and urged that more money should he expended in the locality/ The view that the tourist attractions of the Dominion had never been sufficiently advertised was expressed by Mr A. M. Samuel (Thames), who complained that the Publicity Department had narrowed its activities down to two or three resorts. Mr Samuel went on to extol the virtues of his district from a tourist point of view. The beauties of the National Park at Tongariro were dwelt upon • Ify Mr F. Langstone (Waimarino), who urged that the Government should do more to encourage tourists to visit the locality. The Tararua ranges were dealt with by Mr W. H. Field (Otaki), who urged that the Government should do more to place the tra.cks and the huts in an improved condition. He paid a tribute to the work that th e various tramping clubs were doing, but said this was not enough. It was a great pity that so much bush on the ranges had been destroyed. Mr Field also spoke of the many virtues of the Tongariro National Park, and urged that the member for the district should be appointed to the board which controlled the park. The report was “talked out.”