MR. PARRY'S FAITH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 31, 6 February 1943, Page 6

MR. PARRY'S FAITH

FUTURE OF ROTORUA CASE FOR CAREFUL PLANS (0.C.) ROTORUA, this day. "It is perfectly true, as you have stated in your welcome to me and my party, that I am very much interested in Rotorua and district, and I am a good travelling agent for it. In fact, I could even say that I have been eloquent in praising its beauties and advantages, not only in New Zealand but also in Australia. We who live in the Dominion should be proud of it and of the country which contains such advantages as are available in this district." These remarks were made yesterday afternoon by Mr. Parry, Minister of'internal Affairs, during the course of a reply to representations made to him by borough council members in respect to Government assistance for the town and district. The Minister pointed out that personally he was definitely against any proposals whereby private individuals should be allowed to exploit the advantages of the district. Such action, he contended, should be prevented in the interests of the district as a whole, and it was also due to the Maori people, who had given so much to the State for development and scenic purposes. Exploitation would be a violation of the spirit in which the gifts were made. Mr. Parry reiterated he had great faith in Rotorua and district, and that he wished to conserve its many attractions for posterity. It was a sacred duty, he said, urging that in the fashioning of a progressive policy for the future this should be done in the interests of the district generally for the next 80 to 100. years. Place of Many Advantages "This district is going to be a very big place," he said, referring to Rotorua. "It has taken a lot of people a long time to realise it, but I have always maintained that it had a great future, and I am sure that you agree with me the tourist attractions are undeniably a great asset. The fisheries are another, and are not only the best in the world, but are the" cheapest. The timber resources are enormous, and the land rapidly coming into production will be equal to any other in New Zealand. The crops, given a fair chance, will hold their own with any in the Dominion, and with all these advantages how can one hold Rotorua back. It must go ahead." Such a promising future, he told his listeners, justified and demanded wide vision and careful planning. After hearing representations on matters pertaining to subsidy for flood damage, removal of the railway station to a new site, leasing of Arikikapakapa Reserve Crown leases, allocation of land for housing under the rehabilitation scheme. Government rentals of buildings, access to Sulphur Point, and matters affecting Kuirau Reserve, the Minister gave an assurance, that all these proposals would be given due consideration. In one case, that regarding housing, Mr. Parry intimated that he would inspect the proposed site before his departure from Rotorua.