TOURIST TRADE CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26058, 10 March 1950, Page 3

TOURIST TRADE CONFERENCE

CR. J. N. CLARKE PLEASED BY RESULTS

• The South Island Publicity Association should be well pleased with the results of the national tourist conference, said Cr. J. N. Clarke, on his return to Christchurch yesterday. It was known that all aspects of the tourist trade would be considered, but he had never envisaged such an exhaustive investigation. The association had lately been concerned about the inability of willing local bodies to contribute to its funds because of very limited unauthorised expenditure, Mr Clarke said. The Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr F. W. Doidge) had agreed to consider representations for possible revision of these restrictions in worthy cases. One of the most satisfying results of the conference to South Islanders was the agreement that the Haast Pass road should be completed. Delegates from many departments of the tourist industry agreed that visitors with limited time objected strongly to retracing their steps. The present prohibition of a complete round tour of the South Island was recognised as a real handicap. The potentialities of a circuit through Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Westland, and Nelson were fully appreciated. Everyone had been impressed with the Minister’s determination to “get things moving,” Mr Clarke said.