TOURIST TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 29, 4 February 1936, Page 9

TOURIST TRAFFIC.

CONFERENCE OPENS. REPRESENTATIVE GROUP. GREATER PUBLICITY URGED. 9 Delegates from all parts of the Auckland Province, as well as other parts of Xew Zealand, attended a conference to-day on tourist traffic convened by the Xew 'Zealand Tourist League. Mr. G. M. Fowlds presided. After witnessing an exhibition of the latest films issued by the Tourist and Publicity Department in the Majestic Theatre the delegates were welcomed by M.. . T. Anderton, M.P., in the unavoidable absence of both the Mayor and the deputy-Mayor. He said that the Auckland City Council had endeavoured to create places of interest for visitors, but he did not think there was adequate publicity relating to them. Some of the most beautiful places ill New Zealand were as they were SO years ago, and he particularly referred to Russell and other parts of the Bay of Islands. Those assembled would be prepared to co-operate in planning for advancement in regard to publicity and general improvements in the interests of tourists. Mr. Gainor Jackson, chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said the conference was the first for ten years and although it was only of a provincial character he believed it was the biggest ever held in Xew Zealand. Referring to air services, he said a trunk service between Auckland and Dunedin should be opened up as speedily as possible. There was also the possibility of connecting services from all parts which would link up tourist places in the Xorth and South Islands. Mr. G. M. Fowlds mentioned that it was obvious that any remit carried would naturally be in the nature of a recommendation to the authorities. Fishing Interests. Discussing fishing interests, Mr. Thos. Jackson, Mayor of Rotorua, said that there was serious danger of public access to the shores to lakes being lost. The position was not so acute where Crown lands were concerned, but around many lakes in the thermal regions the sale of private land had taken place and parts of the foreshore had been fenced off. He hoped the conference would do something in the matter. Declaiming that the prbolem was a most serious one, Mr. E. G. Guy, Rotorua Borough Council Advancement Committee, also stressed the necessity of access to fishing waters and enforcement of laws preventing the sale of fishing rights. Mr. C. A. "Whitney suggested that the whole question could be settled through the. acclimatisation societies. He had been informed that certain Rotorua lakes were the property of Xew Zealand, and therefore the Government should acquire the right of access to the lakes for the benefit of visitors to Xew Zealand.

The Hon. Eliot Davis, M.L.C., expressed the opinion that the rights of | visiting fishermen, should be safeguarded by the Government, but he pointed out that there were miles of river bank on the Waikato River which would be available for fishing if suitable access could be provided. The following resolution was carried: "That representations be made to the Government that legislation be enacted so as to ensure to the public the right of access to the shores of the lakes and waterways of Xew Zealand." Publicity for the North. Advocating that there was a necessity space in tourist publicity to the northern part of the Auckland Province, Mr. G. H. Morrish, of the Onerahi Town Board, said he wished specifically to point to the absence of tourist publicity concerning such historic places as Russell and' Waitangi. He moved the following resolution: "In view of the great wealth of North Auckland from a tourist's point of view, the Tourist Department be urged to give more publicity to that area and extend the option of booking tours, also that the Union Company be urged to include the Whangarei Harbour in future cruises of northern cruises." Mr. A. T. Brainsby (Whangarei Borough Council) and Mr. J. A. Finlavson (Whangarei Harbour Board) sup- | ported the motion, which was carried unanimously. j