Dept’s potential ‘not fully used’
Parliamentary reporter No proposal for the restructuring of the Tourist and Publicity Department has yet reached the Cabinet. Asked about the possibility at his press conference the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) said that as far as he knew it was “coming along.” He added: “It’s not one of the things I’m waiting for with bated breath.” Inquiries elsewhere indicate that a great deal of work has been done on the proposition, which has met with considerable opposition within the department. The feeling is that as at present constituted the department has considerable unused potential for doing an efficient job. “There may well be room for change,” commented a highly placed official in the department. “Whether this is the ideal time to carry out that change is another' matter. I am sure that the Cabinet will appreciate this when the whole proposal is before | it.” I The Opposition spokesman ion tourism (Mr John Kirk)! ichallenged the Minister of! iTourism (Mr Lapwood) to'
confirm or deny widespread rumours that his department was to be carved up. Mr Kirk said it. was completely irresponsible for a Minister to continue to remain silent, in the face of concern and uncertainty, both within the Tourist and Publicity Department — and within the travel industry. “The increasing loss of tourists from Australia, and the general economic situation in New. Zealand, means that all operators are being hard hit,” said Mr Kirk. “The Government has continued to turn a blind eye . . . refusing assistance for the rental car industry, and doing nothing to stimulate travel from Australia. “Now if rumours are correct, they intend to fragment the department which is vitally concerned with the promotion and development of the industry. “It seems' to be a policy of this Government that if an organisation is doing a good job, it should be rationalised out of existence. The amalgamation of Air New Zealand, land N.A.C., is a prime example of that,” said Mr Kirk.
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Press, 14 December 1977, Page 10
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328Dept’s potential ‘not fully used’ Press, 14 December 1977, Page 10
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