MAIN CITY CLIMATES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 15

MAIN CITY CLIMATES

Christchurch Defended A comparison of all the facts points to Christchurch having the most livable climate of the four main centres, said the Canterbury Public Relations Officer, Mr C. N. Todd, yesterday. Mr Todd was commenting upon a statement by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) on Wednesday, when he said that the Government was concerned about people “moving inexorably towards the sun.” These remarks follow those of a Christchurch businessman last month, who said that the population drift to the north was almost entirely due to climate.

Mr Todd says: “Climate consists of many factors. A comparison of the full facts on rainfall, number of rainy days, hours of sunshine, average annual temperature, winds, and summer humidity, all point to Christchurch as having the most livable climate of the four main centres. Auckland has its enervating summer humidity and winter days of dreary continual drizzle, while Wellington’s winds are renewed and its rainfall, as with Auckland’s, is twice that of Christchurch. This fallacy which has grown up regarding Christchurch’s climate must be remedied by publicising the facts.

“The Prime Minister mentions that ‘where possible his Government uses its power of persuasion to stem the drift,’ and his and that of his colleagues here is appreciated, buit this persuasion is not nearly enough, especially in the light of the tangible incentives offering overseas.

“It is respectfully suggested that the Prime Minister and his colleagues might study carefully, for example, the excellent work of the New South Wales Department of Industrial Development and Decentralisation, especially its freight subsidies. This not only applies to New South Wales, but of course to other parts of Australia, the United Kingdom and also the United States.”