THE GLACIERS: MR DOIDGE IS IMPRESSED

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 April 1950, Page 2

THE GLACIERS: MR DOIDGE IS IMPRESSED

WELLINGTON, This Day. (P.A.). —Ashamed to find how little, as a North Islander, he knew about the superb attractions of the South Island, the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr F. W. Doidge) was so impressed with the West Coast that he is inviting the world-famous author, Mr H. V. Morton, to come here, “In Search of New Zealand.” Mr Doidge returned to Wellington yesterday from the West Coast.

“Following my visit to Milford Sound, I cannot say which experience enthralled me more—the sounds or the glaciers,” said Mr Doidge. “My vocabulary is too limited to permit me to attempt to describe the scenes that are so spellbinding as the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, dominated by the high snow-crested Southern Alps.

“I feel it my responsibility as Minister not only to awaken New Zealanders themselves to a realisation of the beauties of their own country, but more particularly it is my task to make known abroad the glories of this, the most wonderously beautiful country in the world. i “For years in Fleet street I work- ■ ed alongside a friend and colleague with a descriptive pen who could do our country justice. I am writing forthwith to Mr H. V. Morton inviting him to come here “In Search of New Zealand.”

Mr Morton joined the editorial staff of the Evening Standard, one of Lord Beaverbrook’s newspapers, in 1919, and transferred to the Daily Express in 1921. From 1931 to 1942 he was a special writer on the Labour newspaper, the Daily Herald. He now has a home in South Africa. ___________