Mr Dick Sees Unlimited Scope For Tourism

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30284, 9 November 1963, Page 5

Mr Dick Sees Unlimited Scope For Tourism

The South Island had unlimited possibilities for tourist development, not only in the vast new areas being opened up by fee Haast Pass, but also in fee less remote regions of Canterbury and Otago, said Mr A. D. Dick, the National member of Parliament for Waitaki. speaking at Kakanui yesterday. Mr Dick, who is a foundation member of the Mount Cook National Park Board and was chairman of fee Tekapo Town Planning Committee. envisaged beautification of fee lakes on fee Waitaki river in fee three power schemes, and feeir link with Lakes Ohau, Pukaki, and Tekapo, in future tourist development in the South Island. "I have no illusions about the magnitude of my task in attending to the wants of the large sprawling Waitaki electorate,” Mr Dick said. “The urban communities of Oamaru. Waimate, Otematata, and Kurow all call for special consideration as r.’ell as the widely-spread rural centres ranging from fee Southern Alps to the east coast and embracing South Canterbury and North Otago. Replacement of Schools

“In fee short term I have represented Waitaki I have been able to secure decisions for the replacement of two almost century-old country schools, and in my view the replacement and resiting of other old schools with provision for amendment to school bus routes are of a high priority.” Mr Dick said his interest in education in rural areas was not entirely academic. He had been Dominion president of the Correspondence School Parents' Association and was fully alive to the difficulties of back-country education. “The Government is aware of the problems of fee farming community, and a report on the economic condition of the farming industry was presented to fee House in June of thia year. This has been followed by fee agricultural development conference, which has just met and set up seven expert committees. “As a farmer I am concerned to see a satisfactory approach to Questtoti* of land

valuation and land tenures,” he said. “Finance and facilities generally should be made available for competent young men to acquire and develop their own properties The case of all primary producers including poultryfarmers, town milk suppliers, orchardists bee-keepers and market gardeners all deserve consideration.” Industrial Development Mr Dick said he was entirely in support of necessary industrial development and particularly development of industries ancillary to primary industry. Wherever required, import licences for development for the expanding population should be made available. Industrial development must be encouraged in the South Island, he said. He saw possibilities in this direction in cheap power near the various power schemes on the Waitaki river. “Further consideration should be given to the problems of the care of the aged.” Mr Dick said. “Finance should be made available for older houses as well as new houses as at present, not only for young people, but also for older folk. “The prosperity, the standard of living and the happiness of the community should be a team matter. As a member of Parliament I am concerned fo have regard equally for the claims of town and country and young or old in every sphere.”