ATTRACTING THE TOURIST

Evening Star, Issue 22721, 7 August 1937, Page 22

ATTRACTING THE TOURIST

MILFORD SOUND COMPLETION OF ROAD URGED STIMULUS TO STEAMER TRAFFIC “ Ultimately, shipping companies will give attention to the South Island, but probably this will not come until the road to Milford Sound is open and the link with South Westland is completed,” said Mr J. J. W. Pollard, at the Executive Council meeting last night of tho South Islands Travel Association. Recognising that a permanent shipping sefvice with Australia depended on the completion of the road to Milford Sound, the council decided to approach the Government urging it to complete the route without delay. The question was raised by Mr Pollard in a report on the activities of the association. “Although the sale of the Marama and her replacement on the South Tasman service by the Maunganni gave an indication that there might be no tourist cruise ship available for the South Island next season,” ho said, “ discussions with the Union Company continue. Tourist cruises are of immense value as publicity, though their passengers are on 'shore for only three or four days at tlie most. This season at least seven, and perhaps eight, large liners on English articles will make cruises from Australia to the North Island. These vessels have accommodation for passenger lists varying from 500 to 1,000, and they can carry out these short cruises at a low charge with profit. Most of their passengers make a oneday tour to Rotorua, and about 25 per cent, go through the North Island, picking up tho vessel again at Wellington three, or four days after arrival. These ships will bring at least 4,000 people to the North Island this season, hut the figures will be scanned carefully to see if there is any sign of a falling off in tho attraction of tho North Island programme. “ Ultimately,” he continued, '* these shipping companies will give attention to the South Island, but probably this will not come until the road to Milford Sound is open and the link with South Westland _it completed. These. Works are essential to the development of tourist trade in the South Island* and everything possible should be done to urge, the Government to complete them expeditiously. The route connecting Milford Sound with the northern part of the island and making a quick through trip possible will influence the transfer of large tourist cruise ships to the’ South Island and it will also stimulate internal travel,' in addition to which it will lead to a- new orientation of the emphasis of the Hominion’s overseas publicity in favour of this part of New Zealand.” The. mayor of Invercargill (Mr John Miller) urged that, in the event of a ship going to Bluff or Stewart Island, passengers should be given the opportunity of leaving the ship if they desired, visiting some of the southern attractions, and rejoining the ship at Lvttelton or Hunedin.

"Mr G. J. Errington said he was pleased to see that the Travel Association was moving in the direction of trying to obtain ships for the south this year. While on a visit to Australia recently he had discussed the question with public men, and they had stated that the tourist cruises to the South Island were a step in the right direction, and there should 'be more of them; The scenery in the South Island had been a revelation to Queenslanders who had made a visit. Tasmania was looked upon as the summer resort for Queenslanders, who, however, were now looking for other avenues. They hoped that a direct steamer service between Brisbane and the South Island would be developed in the near future. The speaker expressed the hope that the association would leave no stone unturned to get the suggested cruises. A direct service was a necessity. Mr C. H. Clibborn suggested that they should express appreciation to the Union Steam Ship . Company for the work it bad done last year, at the same time urging it to take every step to carry on a direct service. The suggestion was approved, and it was also decided to urge the Government to complete the Milford Sound road at the earliest possible moment.