ATTRACTING TOURISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 6

ATTRACTING TOURISTS.

SOUTH ISLAND COMPLAINT.

CHALLENGE BY OFFICIAL.

'■ DENIAL OF ALLEGATIONS.

INDIGNANT PROTEST TO LEAGUE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday. A challenge to the organiser of tlio Canterbury Trogress League, Mr. P. R. Climie, to resign unless he could prove the truth of a statement made by Mr. D. Reese, of Christchurch, and published by Mr. Climie in the local press, to the effect that a friend of Mr. Reese's bad been discouraged by the Tourist Depart- "" ment from visiting the South Island, was contained iti a strongly-worded letter from Mr. B M. Wilson, the general manager of the Tourist Department. The letter was considered at the meeting last evening of the executive of the league. Mr. \V:;lson intimated that if the statement could bo proved, he would call 011 the departmental officer concerned to resign, and would also do so himself. In the course of his letter Mr. Wilson states that Sir. Reese had intimated that he could not give the name of his friend without his consent, but had written for it. Mr. Wilson writes:—"lt is regrettable {hat Sir. Reese did not make sure of his friend's consent before writing his letter to you. It would have been more courteous and considerate and in accord with what one is reasonably entitled to expect from an international cricketer. In the meantime his statement has been broadcast through the press, and I havo had no opportunity of refuting it. Do you consider this a sportsmanlike attitude to be taken by Mr. Reese and yourself? Ido rot. Even a civil servant has a light to be treated with common decency and a modicum of fair play.

Hurling Slings and Arrows, You evidently think that as a civil servant has no means of redress, people arc 6afc in hurling at thein slings and arrows, as they cannot reply. "To end this matter, I give you the straightout challenge to prove your statement'. If you can show to the satisfaction of the Minister or the Public Service Commissioner, Mr. P. Verschaffelt, that any responsible officer of the Tourist Department has advised visitors not to go to the South Island, as there was little or nothing to see there, or has in any other way tried to divert tourist traffic from the South Island, I shall call upon that officer to resign. More than that, I shall send in my papers at the fcume lime. This challenge is contingent on your, placing your position in the other side of the scales. If you do not take up this challenge, I wish you to accept the intimation that I decline to receive any further correspondence from you, or to. take notice of any articles you may bo able to get published iu the press." Criticism of Department. Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., said the letter was an hysterical one, probably written in a moment of feeling. There was no doubt that many people who went to the Tourist Department for information were not told about some of the resorts of the South Island. Mr. W. K. McAlpine moved that the Minister he asked if he thought that such a letter should ho sent to the league from the head of a Government department. This was t>econded by Mr. B. Falck, and carried. Mr. Beese has sent a letter in reply to Mr. Wilson. He says he regrets that the criticism wa3 taken in such a personal manner, as he had no personal interest in the controversy at all. He continues: "There is no gainsaying the fact that the South Island has not had ils fair share of this tourist' traffic. Some people here suggest that sinister influences are at work in the Far North,, but I think the reasons are to be found in natural causes.

Islands' Mutual Ignorance, "It is astonishing how few South Island People have been to Eotorua, and how few North Island people have been to Mount Cook. There are of .course difficulties within your own department, and if Southern people criticise the results obtained I do not think it proper that you should recent such criticism, and in an aggressive manner challenge the statements of responsible citizens." Mr. K. W. Kobinson, of Christchurch, has written to Mr. P. It. Climie as follows:—"In October, 1925, my wife and I visited Wairakci. While we were there we made the acquaintance of a fairly large party of American tourists.- On inquiring whether they intended to visit the South Island, we -were informed that At the tourist office in Auckland they were informed that there was nothing vorth seeing in the South Island, and to get to C'hristchurch they would have to put up with a very unpleasant trip in a 'horrible little ferry steamer.' "