"SEE NEW ZEALAND FIRST"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 December 1931, Page 4

"SEE NEW ZEALAND FIRST"

i "Hope springs eternal in the hnman breast," as sbmebodj^ with the gift of saying the obvious weightily is reported to have said. Because of this, despite constant talk of depressions; \ higher taxes and economies compared with which anything yet attempted by most of us is but pettifoggipg cheese-paring, there are few who are not experiencing as Christmas approaches a surge of hope and anticipation which has little connection with economies and possibly less with economy, though in making plans for their realisation neither can be entirely disregarded. This hope and this anticipation can be expressed in the one word holiday. Probably not even the most depressed (financially) among us are entirely without some trace at least of these seasonal emotions, partly owing to the operation of the law above quoted and partly as a result of the fortunate. circumstance that the holiday spirit is not wholly governed by the state of the family exchequer and budgetary prospects. As a matter of fact, what we mean by the word holiday is not really governed by money at all. Money eertainly helps, in this as in other things, but it is quite possible, and given the right mental attitude, even easy, to thoroughly enjoy a hoiiday without spending an extra sixpence on it. This, however, is perhaps rather too idealistic a point of view for most people in this highly practical age. It is therefore fortunate that for the great majority the burning holiday question is, how to do it on less, rather than how to do it on nothing. . Another of those trite sayings which somehow manage to survive, probably because of their universal truth and application, tells us that of those who know Londou at all, none know her less than the Londoner borli hnd bred. Substitute New Zealand for London, and at once we have a suggestion for an inexpensive holiday. How many NeW Zealanders have seen their beautiful country as the intelligent visitor sees it,»with eyes really open and senses really alert? Many thousands undoubtedly. How many have not thus seen and experienced their country's rich and varied charms ? Tens of thousands, quite eertainly. Even in Rotorua there are probably dozens of loyal citizens ready at a momeht's notice to extol their town and district's unique attractions, but to whom those attractions are, in the sense we mean, quite unknown. To many, indeed, they are in a literal seiise unknown, and not because they are inaccessible or costly to get at: For instance. The view from the top of Mt. Ngongotaha on a clear day is one of the most magnificent toi be found in this of any other country. It is within reach of every healthy man, woman and child in Rotorua at the expenditure of one day and d little energy. Coming down, a ramble through the bush may also be enjoyed via the Victoria Track, which has recently been cleared without being sppilt. Many, of course know this better than we do, but there are many other s who haVe not .made the discovery. Among these, chiefly are to be found those who fear that, in these hard times, their hopes of- a holiday are fated to femain hopes unfulfilled and it is to them that our message is addressed. That message may be epitomised in the phrase: "See New Zealand first." If, this summer New Zealanders will make up their minds to see as much as' possible of their own country, not only with thejphysical eye, but. also with the inner and more discerning visioq, great goo'd will result. Sueh money as they liave to spend will be circulated among their own people, ih itself an excelleqt thing ; but better still those who try the experiment will inevitably return to their work cheered and encouraged by a; seiise^ of | the inherent wealth of their country qnd the essential sotindnes's of its people.