Tourism Minister slated

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33881, 28 June 1975, Page 1

Tourism Minister slated

(From Our Own Reporter}

NELSON, June 27. The New Zealand tourist industry, as represented by the National Travel Association, is so disenchanted with the 'attitude of the Minister iof Tourism (Mrs Tiri-Ikatene-Sullivan) that it j will complain to the ■Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) in Nelson tomorrow.

Mr Rowling, who will be in Nelson to open the new regional airport terminal, will be told of the “unsatisfactory attitude and lack of liaison and particularly the industry’s concern about the Minister’s treatment of the industry.” The association is holding its annual conference at Nelson.

In the minutes of the policy committee’s June 17 meeting, reference is made to the appointment of a subcommittee to consider, among other matters, ways of recommending development of special areas of land in national parks through the ‘Tourist Development Coun-

cil and the Tourist Department. The minutes then continue: “The committee discussed the attitude of the Minister of Tourism to the industry and the lack of response from the Government caucus committee on tourism to the luncheon meeting arranged. It was resolved that the committee’s chairman and the association’s president acquaint the Prime Minister of the unsatisfactory attitude and lack of liaison, and particularly the industry’s concern at the Minister’s treat-

ment of the industry and the caucus committee reaction to the meeting.” Although the association’s complaint stems largely from the reduction of the promotional grant made to it by the Government, it was heightened recently by the non-participation of caucus members invited to a special luncheon with the association’s policy committee to discuss environmental problems particularly in relation to the National Parks Board. The chairman of the committee (Mr D. A. Patterson) said in his report: “Of the six caucus members concerned, three accepted, one later apologised for absence, and two did not bother to

reply. The Minister sent an apology 10 minutes before the meeting was to start. Only one member, Mrs M. D. Batchelor, attended. “If this is indicative of the importance which the Government puts on the promotion of tourism, much more work will have to be done in this direction,” Mr Patterson said. Earlier in the day, Mr I. Fogelberg (Christchurch), in reporting on the association’s membership, said it was concerned about what would happen when the Government withdrew its support — “and make no mistake about it, the Minister of Tourism has withdrawn her support, no matter what is said.”

Questioning of members later to substantiate the accusation of Mr Fogelberg elicited that the previous Government made an annual grant of $20,000 to the association for tourist promotion. This could be used, along guidelines, in one year or, if the association had some special project, could be partsnent and the rest put into the project and spent two or more vears later. In 1973. the $20,000 was again forthcoming, although very late, but last year, sll'ooo was granted. The as-

sociation was informed that the balance was to be used "for the Minister’s pet project” — a statistical survey. The non-arrival and apology of Mrs M. R. Nolan, a member of the Tourist Hotel Corporation board, did little to sweeten members’ attitudes today. Mrs Nolan was the only corporation representative at a conference representative of every facet of the tourist industry.

“There’s no manager here, nor sales manager, not even an office boy,” said one member.

Another member said it was becoming obvious that the Government, and the Minister in particular, appeared to be working towards a nationalisation of the tourist industry, to the exclusion of ail other independent organisations.

The policies of the various political parties will undoubtedly be subjected to searching scrutinv when presented by their representatives at tomorrow’s session of the conference. In the conference programme, the Values Party will be represented bv Mr R. G. Clough. Social Credit by Mr L. W. Hunter, National by Mr H. R. Lapwood, and Labour by “a Labour Party sneaker” — which could be the Prime Minister.