THE CITY'S INTERESTS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 54, 5 March 1923, Page 2

THE CITY'S INTERESTS

TO THI EDITOR. j Sir, —I desire to compliment you upon the very sensible comment you made upon the expressed views and intentions" of the Wellington Chamber of. Commerce regarding the " boosting " of Wellington. I do not think anyone can complain at the quantity of news that appears in the papers of the Dominion regarding this ■ city. Wellington, being the capital city, and occupying a central position in the two islands, not only has the Administration situated here and Parliament and the Government, but is the natural place where all the moat important conferences are held. Does that not mean that half the news in all the papers of the Dominion is dated from Wellington, keeping the name constantly before the public of the Dominion? Does it not also mean that Parliament, conferences, etc., bring annually to Wellington many hundreds of people from other parts of the Dominion? How can the papers be blamed for any lack of news or notice of Wellington? The trouble lies with the citizens of this city, and not with the papers. Wha.t is being done to render ths city attractive or to place it in the van of New Zealand cities? Very, very little. The people who come here to conferences, and those who pass through, would be the best advertising media if the city were worth talking about when they got back to their home towns. It has few civic enterprises, and few features \o raise enthusiasm about, and yet there ii» no place in the Dominion with more nntnral beauty. Where in Auckland could you obtain such a beautiful sight as tfc» harbour presented last evening from th» Kelburn hills, glimmering in the soft moonlight? Take away the Government institutions from Wellington, and whnt i public buildings has she left? What encouragement does she give to visitors to enjoy themselves here—not &yen seats in all public places on which to rest. If the city wiil get a move ou and take an interest in itself, it will get i'le tpublicity. You can't talk or write 'to any purpose unless you have something: to talk or write about. If Wellington will follow ths lead of other cities, arid subscribe) and spend a little money on its advancement, it will have little cause for complaint. It can only blame itsolf for the position in which the last census found it.—l am, etc., [ " DISPIRITED. 1 3rd March.