NORTH v. SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 10

NORTH v. SOUTH

ALLEGATION OF CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE DENIAL BY GOVERNMENT AGENT IN AUSTRALIA “OUT FOR NEW ZEALAND AS A WHOLE” Statements made on behalf of the Canterbury Progress League by Mr. P, R. Climie to the effect that Australian tourists were being attracted to the North Island by Government agents at the expense of the South Island, were given an emphatic denial by the New Zealand Trade Cobmissioner in Melbourne, Mr. H. J. Manson, who is at present in Wellington, in the course of an interview. Mr. Climie's observations, which appeared in Saturday’s “Dominion,” were made in a telegram to the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, Hon. W. Nosworthy. Mr. Manson stated to a Dominion reporter last evening that Mr. I’. R. Climie, of the Canterbury Progress League, in accusing him of discrimination between the North and South Islands so far as the tourist traffic was concerned, was uttering a statement that could not be supported by fact. “He stated,” said Mr. Manson, “that I said I hope to make a special appeal to Australians to tour the North Island, instead of visiting the whole of New Zealand’s attractions. I said nothing of the kind, nor did the Auckland “Herald,” quoted by him, whose local correspondent sent a report to his journal in Auckland of my interview to the Gisborne Press, eliminating the reference made by me to the South Island. Being cognisant of the fact that unmerited distrust exists in certain quarters as to the attitude of the Tourist Department so far as the southern resorts are concerned, I was naturally careful in giving expression to any statement likely to give credence to that contention. Mr. Climie, as well as the various organisations engaged in proclaiming the wonders of the south, is well aware that I have been, and always will be, an ardent supporter of the attractions to be found in the southern portions of the Dominion, and that I would hardly be so indiscreet as to become embroiled in a north versus south controversy. The Southern Lakes. “The southern lakes and snow-capped mountains of the South Island appeal strongly to the Australian, and I never cease extolling their beauties; at the same time it must not be forgotten that the w.eird attractions of the thermal regions in the north stir his imagination as well. I am out for New Zealand as a whole, and honestly believe that every officer of the Tourist Department, despite what is said to the contrary, is just as keenly interested in seeing that each resort, whether it be in the north or south, receives its fair share of patronage. It must not be overlooked either that visitors themselves, with a limited holiday at their disposal, are the discriminating parties as to what places should be visited and that officers can only advise as to the greatest value to be obtained therefrom, “Had Mr. Climie read my interviews in the ‘Poverty Bay Herald’ and the Gisborne ‘Times’ of February 11, as well as that of the Whakatane ‘Press’ of February 14, I think he would have found little to cavil at, and that there was no intentoin on my part to belittle the attractions of the South Island. The point I wished to make was that New Zealand offered Australians, in both islands, a wealth of beauty, within easy reach of their homes at a moderate cost, unequalled in the world, and knowing the conditions that exist on both sides of the Tasman, I felt something special should be done to secure a heavier flow of traffic from the mainland.” Catching the “Annual Tripper. Continuing, Mr. Manson said: “In order that this might be accomplished I advocated tours of three weeks’ duration to catch the ‘annual tripper’ whose holiday is limited to this period. As this time does not permit of a comprehensive visit to both islands, what could be better than a specialised tour, whetner it be in the north or south ? The North Island is the natural outlet for visitors coming from Sydney and the northern part of Australia, whereas Melbourne is the connecting link between the southern States of the Commonwealth. For the annual trippers with limited time and means I feel confident that tours could-be arranged from Melbourne to Melbourne, embracing the scenic attractions of the South Island, such as the Lakes District, Mount Cook, and the Buller Gorge, making an ideal holiday. The trip from Sydney to Sydney could take in Rotorua and other scenic resorts in the North Island, also in itself making a perfect holiday. “In my opinion, from either of these great centres of population an increased volume of tourist traffic might well be expected if it can be shown that our unrivalled sights can be visited within the limited time menioned and at a cost not bevond the capacity- of the visitor to pay. “Should my suggestion to popularise these three weeks’ tours be favourably received, it will be pleasing to have the close co-operation of Mr. Climie and his kindred organisations to ensure their su<x»ss.”