FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 110, 5 April 1930, Page 6

FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS

OPERATIONS OF LEAGUE. PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR. The fifth annual review of the New Zealand Tourist League, recently issued, contains a wealth of interesting information regarding the efforts made during the /ear to exploit the Dominion’s natural beauty spots and to disseminate propaganda with the object of encouraging and developing a healthy tourist traffic. It is pointed out in the publication that £2,825,000 was taken out of the country by the 15,000 New Zealanders who went abroad last year, whereas, from an analysis of the returns, the average tourist spent only about £75 in the Dominion. The 11,000 of these, therefore, left only £850,000 in the country, making an adverse balance of about £2,000,000. Another passage refers to the small measure of progress made in the matter of unified exploitation of _ the Dominion’s tourist traffic. “It is highly desirable, in order to obtain the best results, that there should be closer cooperation and consideration between the Government representatives and the private interests concerned in the tourist business.” states the review. “Both parties have millions, of po ( unds invested in assets catering for the comfort and pleasure of travellers. . The advantage of Australia in making a liaison body to pool ideas and direct the activities of all parties might he followed to New Zealand’s advantage. Both France and Hungary have set up boards to develop their tourist resources, and Italy has a very intricate organisation handling the transportation, accommodation and publicity affairs.” Discussing the sport of deer shooting, the league points out that it has been stated that .there are now well over 2,000,000 deer in the Dominion, and in view of the damage alleged to be done to forests and grazing, men are actually being paid to reduce their numbers by shooting, this also applying to pigs. “Surely here is a splendid opportunity to capitalise the situation by broadcasting an invitation to the world to oome and shoot deer without license fees,” asserts the bulletin. “Suitable advertisements should be inserted in the sporting journals of Eng-lish-speaking countries abroad.” Commenting on the new scenic route from Rotorua to Lake Waikaremoana the brochure states: “This road is one which the league specially supported since its formation. It is gratifying to report that it is now practically finished, and the road is open from Ruatahuna to the lake at Hopurrualnne inlet. Work is rapidly proceeding at both ends of the twelve mile section around tho north-west side of the lake 'to the hostel. It is expected to complete this gap about Easter, 1930. The Lands Department is allotting three or tour suitable spots on the route ae cain R I P.S sites for niotorisits and others. This road should become one of the most popular in the North Island, because it traverses virgin bush in the Urewera over the Huiarau Ranges, at an altitude of 3000 feet.” ... Touching on shipping facilities the League expresses its dissatisfaction at the position in regard to tho Vancouver service to which the Government gives a substantial subsidy under an agreement due to expire within a year, Though the Union S.S. Co. of New Zealand were the operators of this line, it was run under the title of CanadianAustralasian lI.M. Line. As far as could bo gathered, the Dominion was the only contributor in this way, .and apart from the great loss of publicity by New Zealand being left out of the title, it seemed that the Dominion suffered another injustice in that most of the supplies for the ships were procured at the terminal ports of Vancouver and Sydney. When the contract came up again for review it was hoped that the Government would be able to make some conditions to rectify these handicaps. . , Another matter referred to is the road connection with Russell, concerning which the following is penned: It appears remarkable thnt though Russell was the first capital of the Dominion, nearly a century ago, and the nrst road in New Zealand was made at Kerikeri, not far away, it is the last town of any to be given road connection with the mam roading system. It is hoped to complete the last gap of ten miles before the end of 1930. Die local people have already gone into the question of a camping site for the many motorists who will visit this historic spot in the future. The League expresses its regret that little progress is being made to carry out the recommendations of the commiesion to improve the. appearance and lay-out of the native villages of \Vhakarewarewa and i Ohmemutu at Rotorua. Mention ls l also n^ 6 A r f t w New National Park, called Arthur Pass Park, comprising about 80,UUU acres, near the ptira/Tunnel, which was gazetted during tfie year. In con nection with the Leagues memorandum at the setting up of a National Park Conservation Board, the New Zealand Institute is also mterestedin the proposal and is contemplatingth setting up of a special committee to report on the matter this year. It » oleasing to report that at last exte ™' building alterations are to be made at Rotorua, to the old pavilion baths and the blue bath.