TOURIST RESORTS AND TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81848, 19 September 1906, Page 2

TOURIST RESORTS AND TRAFFIC.

AN INTERESTING DEBATE. (I'er Press Association.) ' Wellington, September 18. In thu House this afternoon, Sir J. G. Ward moved tin; second reading of the Tourist and Health Resoils Control Bill. lie explained that the Bill was chiefly a machinery bill, for the hetior and more uniform control of the whole tourist system. Mr Hcrries, far from opposing the Bill, thought it was a pity it did not go further and get a chance of doing useful work. The cnief want was concentration and unification of authority. Criticising the management at Rotorua, he said that it would be much better if the place were made a municipality, and could not be worse than it is now. Mr Laurenson warned the House against too much encouragement of a demoralising traffic. Mr Hogg urged more protection for "beauty spots," and thought that the tourists, who think of nothing but sport and pastime, ought not to be encouraged, to the detriment of the producing interests, which deserved, first (consideration. He thought more ought to be done at Rotorua and other sanatoria for the old anil the innrm people of the colony. Mr Alison was surprised at the sentiments just expressed about the tourists. lis assertod that the tour ist traffic was very valuable to the country. lie denied it was in any way demoralising, and hoped the House would not be asked to hear any more such criticism. Mr Ell protested against the indiscriminate introduction of wild animals for the attraction of tourists, and advocated the protection of the native bird life of the country. He admitted, in answer to an interjection of the Premier's, that New Zealand has done more than any other place in the world in this matter, but while congratulating the Minister oa that, he thought the protective measures should go very much further. Mr Stallworthy would like to see provision made for bringing more mineral waters (Helensville springs, to xvit) under the control of the Department. Mr Rutherford, while not asking for anything like the scale of the Rotorua expenditure, thought Bornething should be done for Hanmer more than is done. Mr Hall suggested more free beds at Rotorua. Mr Wilford urged the Government to buy the "Spa ' at Taupo and the Waitaki district, because tourists are now prevented by local jealousies from seeing these p aces, which are the most interesting in the whole thermal district. He also urged the Government to take over tne 'aun ches at the Lakes, and bring down the charges, which are at present prohibitive. He criticised discrepancies in the salaries of officers of the Tourist Department. Mr Bennett wanted more free beds. Mr Mander suggested the acquisition of the Kamu springs, and he defended the tourists. Mr Greenslade wanted better roads to tne Waitomo caves, Mr Poland considered To Aroha the best santorium and tne finest beauty spoi in the colony, and sug gested its treatment accordingly. Mr Flatman feared, the introduction of noxious animals, such as the brown bear, and hoped there would not be any oppressive game laws. He thought much of the tourist trafiic. After further discussion, Mr Eraser reminded the llouse that the Bill is a merely administrative measure. The fact did not justify reference to at the bogs and blow-holes of the coun try.

Mr Barber hoped the Government would not forget to secure all foreshores. The Premier, in reply, pointed out that there seemed to be much misapprehension about the Tourist Department. The Department was not responsible for the introduction of deer, and it lia'd nothing whatever to do with ton-shores or withi annex.ng springs and other things, Much nonsense was talked about deer stalk i<ig as the! exdlusiye araupemnt of the globe-trotter, but the Department knew of its own knowledge that foi every outside stalker there are 50 New Zealanders. There was an idea ol gross extravagance, but the cost of the Department was ,64000. It earned ,£16,000, and tiie lowest estimate of the annual tourist expenditure set it down at ,6350,000. As to animals, blown boars, blue bears, ye'low bears, or any other wi'd animals, thp Tourist Department hadaieyer asked for the introduction oL a sing.e wild animal. .As for free beds, the Government has as much Sympathy for the poor as any member of the House, and has done a good deal for them in this very matter, and lion, members might" have said so while they were about it. • On the House resuming at 7.30, the Hon. the Premier, continuing, referred to what had been said about Rotorua. He saiij thai when -the : Tourist Department took-up Kot'orua, the place was actually valueless. Since then much money has been spent on the water supply, lighting, drainage, grounds, improvements to numerous springs, streets, roads, and bathing establishments. The Kotorua people had the benefit of all these things and had never had fo pay 1 a rate,' for his jwrt he "tjioug'lrt they-were yery lucky people indeed. His lion, friend also represented that the place wanted the whoje of t|ie Jjenefits to be handed to tiie citizens'without their paying anything or beiq'g rated or p'edging themselves in any' way. lie did not blame the jion. gpntlaman; on the contrary, lie commended him tor playing a game understood by both sides, but the House must not take i( for criticism of Rotorua, which was a very up-to-date place indeed. Referring to Mr Donne, who had, he told the House, done so much for the Department, organising, etc., and bringing it up to date, he defended that gentleman from the insinuations of the debate and told the House that he had received sevorai offers from Australia and America of better salary, in one case amounting to £I2OO a year, to secure his services.