SPORTING PARADISE

Evening Star, Issue 22575, 17 February 1937, Page 8

SPORTING PARADISE

MINISTER'S TOUR COMPLETED FURTHER POSSIBILITIES INVESTIGATED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 16. Completing an inspection of the work of the game and fisheries branch of the Department of Internal Affairs in the Lakes District in the north, the Hon. W. E. Parry returned to ’Wellington convinced that much remained to be done in the opening up for the people’s enjoyment of further extensive territory in the Rotorua and Taupo districts.

The Minister travelled with executive officers of the department over some lakes and rivers which, by reason of their not having been developed for utilisation, would l probably not be, he said, familiar even to very many New Zealanders wbo made frequent visits to Rotorua and Taupo. The functions of the Department of Internal Affairs, with which were allied the activities of the Tourist ami Publicity Department, already embraced a wide interest in the country’s attractions for the people. He hoped that with his colleagues “whose departments were affected greater efforts than in the past would be made to bring about a full and proper development of those valuable attractions.

“ It is not novel to boar Now Zealand as a country extolled from all angles by visitors from abroad,” he stated, “ but I do not think our own people quite appreciate all the good things which make their land the envy of other countries. 1 met in my travels many overseas people out here for sightseeing, fishing, and all-round 'enjoyment. They were emphatic _in their remarks that we had everything to offer, to meet the. most. fastidious tastes, and surprise was expressed that New Zealanders themselves were not making full use of the attractions in i;ho way people from the visitors’ country would make use of them had they the same advantages. New Zealand’s scenic beauties, they said, charmed them. , The fisheries, gave them the maximum thrills and excitement, and with all the sunshine and brightness in our wonderful climate they were brought back to, good health.” The Minister said he had seen many well-conditioned fish being proudly carried along scrub-covered tracks from lakes and rivers by the anglers who had caught' them. “If we can keep up that standard of fish,” Mr Parry said, “ all those interested will have reason .to feel satisfied. It was to ascertain what further methods the Department of Internal Affairs could 1 adopt quite apart from the work which the Fish Research Department is now engaged on that I devoted a good deal of my time. There are many problems yet to solve; but I am hopeful that the visit will enable an impetus to be given to quick development on the lines decided on.”