VISITORS’ VIEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8739, 22 May 1914, Page 4

VISITORS’ VIEWS

We do not imagine that much en-( thnsiasm will be aroused in this conn- 1 try by that part of the American Trade Commissioners’ views, as in a cablegram appearing in our news columns yesterday, which declares that New Zealand is “mostly fitted” as a tourist resort, on account of its mag-| nificent scenery. Our people will appreciate this tribute to the natural beauties and wonders of these islands, no doubt, and will agree that these a/rq superb and not easy to surpass in anyl part of the world—but there are more serious objects in life than catering for globe-trotters. This country .need never! depreciate the magnificence of its seen-, |cry nor the material benefits of a large 'and increasing tonrist traffic, but to turn our main purpose into angling for anglers, for the attentions of the rich, curious, or the shekels of even the most opulent, generous, and admiring visitors, is not a sufficiently worthy or attractive ambition. We hope and expect tnat the tourist traffic will grow considerably; but we hope just as sincerely that it will never be more than a comparatively insignificant side-line ri the national business. We are. how-, ever, in hearty accord with the opin-i ion expressed by the Commissioners that the high price Of land will be a stumbling block to an active immigration policy. One of the principal reasons—the main reason, in fact—why. land is so abnormally dear in New Zealand is that it is grossly monopolised and ridiculously lightly taxed. While these conditions prevail no active immigration policy can be either justified or successful. It is worse than folly to bring people to our shores from abroad without arranging for them to have access to the soil; and even then the first duty of the State is to provide for the landless already here We dp not doubt that the people will shortly insist upon the existing evils that we refer to being swept away, when New Zealand’s population and prosperity alike will advance by leaps and bounds.