SUNNY SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 12

SUNNY SOUTH.

WHY FEW TOURISTS?

MEMBERS' PROPAGANDA. UTIMATU AMD lOZHZKT. (By Telefrapb.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Until the Chairman of Committees called them to order with the declaration that they must discuss items on the Estimates and not the beautiful sconcry of the South Island, members voiced the familiar coniplaint during consideration of the Tourist Estimates in the House of Representatives to-night that the South Island was not getting adequate attention. Mr. K. J. Holyoalce (National, Motuekn) suggested that more consideration be paid to the South Island when arranging itineraries for tourists, and particularly distinguish*! visitors. The South Island, k« said, was usually

left out and hia district, though it had the sunshine record and fine scenery, was always missed. Attention seemed to be centred on Rotorua, and the visitor went away with the idea that New Zealand was the "Shivery Isles," always on the quiver. Mr. 11. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) said Rotorua was undoubtedly weird, but for sheer beauty one should go south. "These Estimates have not once been mentioned sincei the Minister took the chair," declared Mr. E. J. Howard, Chairman of Committees, who called members to order. "I am going to keep you to the Estimates, not to the beautiful scenery," he announced. Mr. J. Hargest (National, Awarua) found a good opening when he mentioned the £3500 vote for advertising and posters, adding that he did not think any responsible officer discriminated agaJAst the South Island. He did, however, have the experience of an American lady who was told it was too far away and that she would not have time to go. Mr. Howard: That is not on the Estimates. The Minister in charge of Tourist and Publicity, Mr. Langstone, was given the opportunity to reply. "This question of South versus North—it is absolutely untrue," he declared. Officers were not permitted to tout or give preference to any attraction, and so far as publicity was concerned, his Department did more for the South Island than the North, getting out special booklets and publications regarding the South Island, a thing they did not do for the North. He would say that the grandeur of the scenic beauties of the South Island was just as groat as that of the North. The Chairman: It is not on the Estimates. The Minister stated that 45 per cent of tourists who booked through his Department did go to the South Island, but they could not help the North Island being closer to Australia and America because through -ships came to Auckland, their tourists going through the North Island, catching their boat at Wellington to go away. When the Minister subsequently mentioned that 12. and possibly 13, cruise ships were visiting New Zealand this season, Mr. T. D. Burnett (National, Teniuka) queried, "Will any visit the South Island?" "Yes." replied Mr. Langstone, "eight of them."