ITINERARIES OF TOURISTS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 4

ITINERARIES OF TOURISTS

“SACRIFICE OF SOUTH ISLAND”

ILLUSTRATION DRAWN FROM VISIT OF SCIENTISTS

(press association telegram.)

INVERCARGILL, January 29.

Astonishment at what he termed the sacrifice of the South Island in the selection of the show places of New Zealand for overseas visitors was expressed this evening bv Mr George Jaquicry, who has just returned from the Science Congress at Auckland. Mr Jaquicry, who is curator of the Southland Museum and a member of the congress, was able to note the arrangements made for Australian visitors, who had a week of leisure after the business of the congress. “There was no mention of the South Island in the programme of sightseeing,” declared Mr Jaqulery. It appeared to be Rotorua first, second, and always, with those responsible for the entertainment of t.he Australians. Indeed, so anxious were the Government officials that the visitors should see Rotorua that they provided free transport. . ~ “Some of the delegates to the congress would have welcomed an opportunity to visit the South Island,” he continued. “Many of them are keenly interested in ' New Zealand’s high mountain flora, and said so. This flora constitutes about half of the plant life of New Zealand, but as most of it grows on the high mountains of the South Island, visitors are not given an opportunity to see ana study it. The glory of our alpine flowers is renowned, and I think that provision should have been made for the Australians to see it,” There was some compensation, little as it was, he added. A private screening of the unique collection of slides of alpine flora, owned by Mr Scott Thomson (Dunedin), was arranged and those who saw it were greatly impressed with the exhibition. Some expressed regret that they were unable to see the living plants. “Something should be done about this North Island parochialism," concluded Mr Jaquicry. “We in the south aVe losing by it. I believe it would pay to have a South Island resident representative In Auckland to meet all overseas tourists so that the beauties of the South Island and the advantages of touring could be placed before them. Personal contact by a southerner Is necessary, and till we arrange for it we will continue to suffer in the way I have Illustrated."