Minister Of Tourism Calls Labour Statement “Impure Politicking”

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 5

Minister Of Tourism Calls Labour Statement “Impure Politicking”

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 16,

The Minister of Tourism (Mr Walker) yesterday dismissed as ‘infantile” and “pure —or rather, impure—politicking” a statement issued by four Labour members of Parliament who attacked his attitude towards tourist development in Christchurch and Canterbury.

The statement was issued by Messrs B. G. Barclay (Christchurch Central), I. J. Brooks (Marlborough), R. P. B. Drayton (St Albans), and T. M. McGuigan (Lyttelton). “In attempting to strike a •holier - than - thou’ attitude, Labour’s local ‘new boys’ only succeed in revealing their abysmal ignorance of tourism, a blind disregard for facts, and their inability to interpret intelligently even the simplest of reports,” said Mr Walker.

“One pitiful example is their claim that a research survey shows there is a need In Christchurch for a new tourist hotel with accommodation for 150 to 175 now, and 300 to 350 by 1972-73. “The research survey to which they refer says no such thing. It says that by 1972-73 there will be need for an additional 150 to 175 rooms, containing a total of 300 to 350 beds. This was reported so clearly in “The Press’ on Tuesday that there is simply no excuse for mis-i interpretation. “The survey says that three. years later, if present trends continue, there will be need for up to another 250 rooms (or 500 beds). Labour Statement The Labour M.P.S statement said: “The Minister of Tourism’s recent attempt to justify his lack of action in the building of a first-class tourist hotel for Christchurch, the restoration of the pools at Hanmer Springs, and the provision of adequate hotel accommodation and dining facilities in Akaroa is nothing more nor less than an apology for his failure to act in the interests of Christchurch and Canterbury, an area for which he previously professed so much concern.

“His report on special projects was in fact, an acknowledgement of failure to face up to issues which are of such concern to the people.

One would have expected greater support and energy from a Christchurch Cabinet Minister. “A research survey shows that there is a need for a new tourist hotel in Christchurch with accommodation for 150 to 175 now, and 300 to 350 by 1972-73. It is clear that if the Minister were to use some of the funds of Tadco we would be able to overcome the shortage of beds in Christchurch. Surely it is time Mr Walker gave some consideration to Christchurch and its tourist potential.

“Similarly, he shows a complete disregard for the people of Hanmer Springs. He infers that the baths-restoration project should be anti rely the responsibility of the local community, with Government playing no part The Minister conveniently overlooks that these pools administered by the Department of Health for the last 47 years—have deteriorated through Government neglect. Hanmer and Akaroa

“They are a tourist attraction and a public facility catering for some 90,000 visitors a year. For this reason, the Government has a duty to the public to ensure the continued existence of these popular pools. It is not the residents who are guilty of neglect but they are quite prepared to play their

past, provided the Government will do its share. “Mr Walker’s claim that there is only one inquiry a fortnight from an overseas visitor for hotel accommodation in Akaroa is ridiculous. It is not substantiated by the report published by his own department in November, 1969. This report said that visitors to Akaroa in 1969-70 were running at a level of at least 1000 overseas visitors and considerably more than 50,000 New Zealanders, and that the prospects were for further increases.”

The report concluded that it would be prudent for district planning to provide for more motels in future and some expansion in licensed accommodation.

“Perhaps the Minister can explain where the 16,000 visitors who used to stay at the Bruce and Metropole Hotels annually now stay?” the Labour statement said. “Mr Walker’s record as far as Christchurch and Canterbury are concerned is poor. He will have to do better than this.” Mr Walker’s Reply Mr Walker, in his reply, said there was “naive reasoning” shown in the Labour attempt to discredit his statement that there was at present only one inquiry a fortnight from overseas visitors seeking accommodation in Akaroa.

“They overlook that this is not just my opinion or a wild guess, but is actually a fact established by a special survey of demand for accommodation in Akaroa,” he said. “In disputing this fact, Labour’s amateur experts have chosen to ignore the findings of this accommodation survey. Instead, they refer to a previous survey of Akaroa’s attractions, which mentioned that about 1000 overseas visitors now go to Akaroa each year. “They overlook the fact that the great majority of these overseas visitors are only making one-day side trips from Christchurch, because Akaroa is conveniently close, and that very few of them would require . accommodation there, even if a first-class licensed hotel were available. “However, even if there

should be a revolutionary] change in travel patterns and every single one of these overseas visitors suddenly wanted accommodation in Akaroa, the annual average occupancy rate would be insufficient to fill three beds a night. "In their innocence and ignorance, the Labour members ask where the New Zealand visitors who used to stay at the Bruce and Metropole Hotels stay now. I am sure the proprietors of new motels and other accommodation now available in Akaroa would be happy to enlighten them. “Inept And Unjustified” “The Labour attack on my attitude towards improvements at Hanmer Springs is equally inept and unjustified. I have every sympathy with the people who, quite rightly, are so anxious to improve the attraction of the bathing pools. I have never suggested that this should be the sole responsibility of the Hanmer community, and I have promised to do whatever I can to help. Before I can do anything, however, it is surely up to the interested parties to prepare an adequate case for assistance—including a firm outline of exactly what is proposed, sources of finance other than the Government, reliable estimates of capital and running costs, and a rea-sonably-accurate indication of the level of patronage expected.

“’Vhat perturbs me more than anything about the Labour members’ attack is their sinister suggestion that they would have expected greater support and energy from a Christchurch Cabinet Minister, and their irresponsible disappointment at my •failure to act in the interests of Christchurch and Canterbury.’ “As I said in addressing the Christchurch Businessmen’s Club last Monday: .“So far in New Zealand, we have managed to keep our country free from the taint of ‘Tammany Hall-type' politics, and

that is something we have every reason to be thankful for ... I believe the people of New Zealand deserve and get good Government, sound Government, honest Government. I believe that, leaving aside the question of political differences, it has always been the aim of whatever party has been in power to govern in the best interests of our country as a whole, and I am determined for my part to see it stay that way.

“It dismays me to think that perhaps Messrs Barclay, Brooks, Drayton, and McGuigan might have a different attitude towards the possible evils of political influence and opportunism,” Mr Walker said.