DEVELOPING TOURIST TRAFFIC

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1936, Page 4

DEVELOPING TOURIST TRAFFIC

BIG PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND [Special to "Northern Advocate AUCKLAND, This Day. Delegates from all parts of the Auckland Province, as well as other parts of New Zealand, attended a conference yesterday on tourist traffic convened by the New Zealand Tourist League. Mr G. M. Fowlds presided.

After witnessing an exhibition of the latest films issued by the Tourist and Publicity Department in the Majestic Theatre, the delegates were welcomed by Mr W. T. Anderton, M.P., in the unavoidable absence of both the Mayor and the deputy - Mayor.

He said that the Auckland City Council had endeavoured to create places of interest for visitors, but he did not think there was adequate publicity relating to them. Some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand were as they were 80 years ago, and he particularly referred to Russell, and other parts of the Bay of Islands.

Those assembled would be prepared to co-operate in planning foe advancement in regard to publicity and general improvements in the interests of tourists.

Biggest Ever Held in New Zealand. Mr Gainor Jackson, chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said the conference was the first for ten years and although it was only of a provincial character he believed it was the biggest ever held in New Zealand. Referring to air services, he said a trunk service between Auckland and Dunedin should be opened up as speedily as possible. There was also the possibility of connecting services from all parts which would link up tourist places in the North and South Islands. Mr G. M. Fowlds mentioned that it was obvious that any remit carried would naturally be in the nature of a recommendation to the authorities. Discussing fishing interests, MrThos. Jackson, Mayor of Rotorua, said that there was serious danger of public access to the shores of lakes being lost The position was not so acute where Crown lands were concerned, but around many lakes in the thermal regions the sale of private land had taken place and parts of the foreshore had been fenced off. He Ifoped the conference would do something in the matter.

Necessity of Access.

Declaring that the problem was a most serious one, Mr E. G. Guy, Rotorua Borough Council Advancement Committee, also stressed the necessity of access to fishing waters and enforcement of laws preventing the sale of fishing rights. Mr C. A. Whitney suggested that the whole question, could be settled through the acclimatisation societies. He had been informed that certain Rotorua lakes were the property of New Zealand, and therefore the Government should acquire the right of access to the lakes for the benefit of visitors to' New Zealand. j The Hon. Eliot Davis, M.L.C., expressed the opinion that the rights of visiting fishermen should be safeguarded by the Government, but he pointed out that there were miles of river bank on the Waikato River which would be available for fishing if suitable access could be provided. The following resolution was carried: “That representations be made to the Government that legislation be enacted so as to ensure to the public the right of access to the shores of the lakes and waterways of New Zealand.”

More Publicity for North.

Advocating that there was a necessity for giving space in tourist publicity to the northern part of the Auckland Province, Mr G. H. Morrish (Whangarei) said he wished specifically to point to the absence of tourist publicity concerning such historic places as Russell and Waitangi. He moved the following resolution: “In view of the great wealth of North Auckland from a tourist’s point of view, the Tourist Department he urged to give more publicity to that area and extend the option of hooking tours, also that the Union Company he urged to include the Whangarei Harbour in

future of Northern cruises.” Mr A. T. Brainsby (Whangarei Borough Council) and Mr J. A. Finlayson (Whangarei Harbour Board) supported the motion, which was carried unanimously.