MANY BEAUTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 10

MANY BEAUTIES

NEW ZEALAND SCENERY

NOT FULLY EXPLOITED

AN AUTSARLIAN'S COMMENT

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day

Sir James Barrett, of Melbourne, who is attending the Medical Congress, makes some pointed comment on matters which vitally concern the welfare of the Dominions Questioned regarding what he thought of the scenic attractions of New Zealand, Sir James said: "I don't wish New Zealand, which is so hospitable, to think me critical,' for its people are best judges of their own business; but I should like to make some suggestions.

"In New Zealand' you have got a volcanic region easily accessible, from Tongariro to White Island. You have some unrivalled seaside resorts north of Auckland; you have got a place like Rotorua developed for. holiday traffic, with golf links and whatnot. You have mountains 10,000 feet high, and glaciers in the South Island. You have got lakes and you have got a wonderful climate, and all, be it remembered, within a comparatively small compass and easily accessible. I know- of no country in the world where all these things arc ■so combined, and where, with proper arrangements, they could ao.easily be got at.

"The natural destiny for New Zealand, from her industrial and agricultural activities, is,to become one of the chief playgrounds of the world, and the value of such an asset does not seem to me to be appreciated. It is very difficult, to get to New Zealand—difficult to get a passage on the boats—and when you do get a passage you are crowded three and four in a cabin. Moreover, when you do get to New Zealand it is a little difficult to get out of it again for the same reason. Then there was trouble in finding accommodation in hotels, and yet the total number of visitors who came from Australia must be comparatively few. There is one steamer a week, and if it were to carry 500 people,-which I do not suppose it does, you would only have 2000 visitors a month during the summer season. With the attractions of the Dominion it would not have surprised me if the numbers were 25,000 to 50,000 from all parts of the woria.

"A great many people of Australia do not come because of the difficulties I have named. When I was here in 1914 I saw a Minister of the day, and pointed out to him that in the tourist traffic, if it were developed as the G.P.R. had developed it, New Zealand had a priceless asset. It meant, however, doing things in a bigger and broader way. I am afraid your Government could not do such work, but it could assist it, and show its sympathy. The constitution of the political body does not lend, itself easily to the full development of this type of thing.