A CONFERENCE BUILDING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 327, 14 September 1932, Page 4

A CONFERENCE BUILDING

The definite decision to hold the forthcoming conference of the Municipal Association in Rotorua early in March of next year, will be reeeived with general satisfaction. This conference is one of the largest annual gatherings held in the Dominion and quite apart from its importance, will bring a large number of visitors to the town during the slack period between New Year and Easter. Rotorua, as a holiday town, cannot afford to overlook these material considerations, but should not accept the decision merely as a mark of favour which is nothing more than its due. Strenuous eff orts were made ' to divert the conference to Wellington, and following a postponement this year, advocacy was necessary to persuade the executive of the association to adhere to its original decision to hold the conference in Rotorua. In this advocacy, Rotorua had an able representative in the Mayor (Mr. T. Jackson) who as chairman of the executive of the association, apparently represented the claims of this centre in a very able manner. It now remains for Rotorua to ensure that its guests are made at home, and that so far as is possible, everything is done to assist the success of the conference. A major difliculty will be the provision of accommodation sufficient to house a conference of large dimensions. The difficulty has largely been overcome, but the conference will emphasise the necessity for the provision of a suitable building where large meetings and gatherings can be held. At present the lack of this accommodation is a definite handicap in advancing Rotorua' s claims as the locale for conferences, and until it is overcome, the town will suffer. The recent decision of the Rotorua A. and P. Association to delay the erection of its contemplated show building was a definite set-back in this direction, and it is to be hoped that when it is possible to reopen the matter, more confident counsels will prevail. The last decision of the association un^ poned the building proposal for twelve months, during which period funds which could be utilised for the erection of the building have been invested. At the expiration of the 12 months period, however, the proposal may be revived. We feel sure that if the association decided then to proceed with its building programme, quite apart from the benefit which it would obtain through the provision of proper quarters for its own activities, it would not suffer through its confidenee in the future of the town and district. Steps have now been taken for the formation of an association which will have as one of its functions, the advocacy of Rotorua' s claims as a conference centre, and if that policy is vigorously pursued, the A. and P. Association or any other organisation which is able to provide suitable accommodation, will reap a substantial benefit.