TOURIST TRAFFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 127, 25 November 1935, Page 19

TOURIST TRAFFIC

LABOUR'S POLICY

A manifesto setting out Labour's tourist policy was issued today by the Leader oC the. Labour Party (Mr. M. J. Savagei. 11. was as follows: —

When elected to the Treasury benches (he; Labour Government will pill iiilo effect a progressive and businesslike policy of tourist; expansion. The enjoyment by the people ol! the wonderful gifts of Nature wjlh which New Zealand is so richly endowed, will be earnestly fostered.

Under Hie wage-slashing and confid-ence-wrecking policy ol the United-Re-

I form Party, the ability of New Zealanders to receive the educational and health benefits of travel in their own ■ country has been severely restricted. : Labour's policy of wage restoration will make it possible for thousands of New Zealanders to again travel in their own country with a consequent stimulation of the circulation of money through the numerous channels of : commerce dealing with travel. : HEALTH SERVICE. As a result of the depression, suf- ■ fering and illness caused, or aggra- : vated by, worry, insufficient food, and malnutrition are widespread. In places . such as Rotnrua, Te Aroha, Hanmer , Springs, etc., New Zealand possesses curative mineral waters which are ■ world renowned. It will be Labour's : aim to make it possible for the thousands of crippled children and adult sufferers from rheumatic, arthritis, • and allied complaints, and nerve cases, ■to get the relief and benefit which : the spas provide. The spas will be , enlarged and improved and their facili- • ties made available for the use of all • who require them where at present . they are availed of only by a privi- , leged few. ACCESS TO RIVERS AND LAKES. Through the neglect of past Ad--1 ministrations many miles of lake and ! river frontages in New Zealand have been arbitrarily shut off from use by : the general public. Labour regards the use of rivers and lakes, with, of course, ; reasonable safeguards of farmers' • rights, as the sacred birthright of the 1 people. It will be Labour's policy to restore and preserve this birthright which was so earnestly striven for by the pioneers of ( New Zealand. FOREST PRESERVATION. : Much of our native forest has been 1 needlessly and ruthlessly destroyed. It will be Labour's policy to make scenic reserves of large tracts of the forest still standing, especially in the vicinity ; of tourist roads or where forest denudation is likely to cause flooding in surrounding country. TOURIST ROADS. The Labour Government will efficiently maintain tourist roads in both ; islands and will open up new ones where justified. ; TOURISTS FROM OVERSEAS. Realising that a profitable industry can be developed and fresh money can be injected into the arteries of commerce by encouraging large num- ; bers of travellers to visit New Zealand, the Labour Government will pursue a vigorous policy in this respect and will concentrate on Australia, the East, U.SA., Canada, and Great Britain. ORGANISATION. So that the whole tourist industry can be efficiently handled, the Labour Government will enlarge the scope of the Tourist and Publicity Department, will infuse new life into it, and will provide sufficient staff to actively seek new business as is already done by the State Fire, Government Life, and other State commercial Departments. The efforts of the officers of the Department will be supported by an effective publicity campaign. The cooperation of Travel Clubs, Progress Associations, and all branches of industry interested in and catering for travel will be enlisted. Under past Administration the Tourist and Publicity Department has been one of the most restricted and starved Departments, of State and its officers have .been poorly remunerated. The Labour Government will reverse this policy and will develop a profitable tourist industry from which the whole Dominion will benefit.