WAITANGI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 15

WAITANGI

Sir, —In view of the amount of controversy before, during and since the Waitangi celebrations, the suggestion of "Eighteen Hundred and Thirtyfour," that a definite public statement should be issued by the National Trust Board, seems most timely. That statement alone could give tbe transaction in its true proportions. The figures that have been bandied about have reached the fantastic, if your correspondents' conclusions are correct, much of the adverse criticism falls to the ground. Deficiencies there were in the arrangements made for the celebrations, and it is perhaps hard to agree that the present volume of traffic justifies the cost of the bridge, for which a less costly substitute might have been provided till times improve. But certain facts strike an impartial observer, viz.: a most generous series of gifts to the nation. (2) The Waitangi estate is a very beautiful domain, with endless possibilities for gradual _ development, under sound direction. (3) Their Excellencies' gift will —besides becoming self-supporting —inevitably increase in value with the years, and become an important national asset. (4) The Jfay of Islands has been destined by nature to become one of the sights and playgrounds of the world, in the same way as Rotorua. (5) Waitangi will be the foundation on which will largely be laid .the tourist traffic to the Bay (besides the Duke of Gloucester's visit, three, if not four, overseas passenger vessels are making it a port of call next summer). (6) If the whole cost to the public purse—apart from voluntary subscriptions—amounted up to date to £2O,O(XJ, which probably far exceeds reality, it should be treated purely as money spent on advertising one of New Zealand's greatest attractions, which sum should be hundredfold as the years go by. (7) The Treaty House! as restored to its original outward appearance in Mr. Busby's time, is a graceful representation of the pleasing domestic architecture of that period, and worthy of study. Might, not the nation now resolve to enjoy to the full what has been so freely given to it, and use every endeavour to induce overseas visitors to come and enjoy it also, as one of the beauty spots for which this Dominion is so justly fani^d? Looking Forward.