JOINT RESPONSIBILIY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 125, 29 May 1934, Page 6

JOINT RESPONSIBILIY

' •' 1 A conference of persons interested in the development of tourist traffic is proposed. There have been conferences before, . but another would,probably do good if, at'the outset, the discussion ,was upon a business basis. The suggestion for a business basis was given when the leader o£ the Tourist League- deputation at'Auckland,said fhe^TourUt Department, had jbeen too keen about collecting commissions, and < the Minister retorted.that he had often wondered whether \\ wag, - not the Department 'that was-'pushing business, and whether'someone else was I receiving the commissions! * The Tourist and Publicity' Departments do more work than any other organisation in attracting tourists to New Zealand and arranging their tours when they arrive. '', Jf the Tourist Department has been "100, 'keen about collecting , commissions" for this service, ably rendered with the means, at its, command, the .result does jiot show in the balance : sheet. Help from general Jaxation is still needed. Persons particularly interested in the tourist traffic hold that this expenditure is ■> warranted because there is a return to the community. But the greater part and the most direct return goes to those whose business is improved by the tourists. This is the-justification for commissions, and for a clear understanding that if, as suggested, "State and private resources should be mobilised to act together in the Dominion's interests," the mobilisation should include expenditure and returns.

It is only by an equal partnership that a permanent improvement can be made. If the interests which derive a benefit from tourist traffic share in the cost of developing that traffic they will be careful to see that the value is, not 1 lost by sending travellers away dissatisfied. - Good publicity, tor which private interests should contribute, will bring visitors here, but they will be induced to return only if they find the travel service such as they have the right to expect. In that travel service private enterprise is largely concerned, in shipping and road transport, and accommodation particularly. It is at least as important to see that this is maintained at the Highest standard as to see that the Tourist Department is active in attracting visitors.