THE TOURIST TRAFFIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11935, 8 January 1901, Page 3

THE TOURIST TRAFFIC.

THE HON J. G. WARD'S PROPOSALS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 7. The following is extracted from an interview with the Hon. J. G. Ward to be published to-morrow morning:—The Government feels that by special attention being devoted by the department that has officers in all parts t of the country the natural advantages which New Zealand possesses in the way of tourist resorts can be utilised in the general interests of the colony to a very much greater extent than has been the case hitherto. With tln> object in view the Government decided that it was desirable to place Rotorua, Hanmer, Mount Cook, and all other health resorts and sanatoriums in the colony under the control of 'the Minister of Railways. This being the case, I propose to utilise the complete organisation of the railway service throughout the colony, and in places to which the railways have not yet extended to bring into requisition the services of other officers of the to.vernment, in order to work up a better and more widely-organised .tourist department thin has hitiierto been possible. In order to achieve this I propose'to have one of the high officers now in the Railway department selected specially to take charge of this department. In all probability it will be one of the district traffic managers of railways who •will ,be brought to Wellington and work from this centre. I share with my colleagues the opinion that every pound judiciously spent in making for the comfort of visitors to the colony, and also for the comfort and pleasure of the people who reside amongst us, will be recouped indirectly over and over again. I have already given instructions for a responsible officer of the Railway department, whom I have referred to, to be brought to Wellington at-.ari early date to confer with me as to the general plan of operations. He will then be Bent to the different tourist and health resorts in the colony to investigate on tho spot in what direction changes and improvements can be effected in the direction of making them more attractive and more accessible than they have hitherto been. One of the greatest difficulties that has been experienced by people in tho colony, as well as those who have come long distances Sot health purposes, or with the object of witnessing our wonderful eighte of Nature, has been that they have not been able to reach some of these places as easily, or as cheaply as they would have liked. And in many cases the accommodation available for them has not been of the most up-to-date kind. It will take a little time to bring about the requisite changes under contemplation, but' J am hopeful and determined as far as it is .possible, to do so to havo reforms effected which will generally add to the attractiveness of our colonv and cause those who come here to speak well of their treatment after they leave our shores. I think the colony will not grudge the necessary expenditure to place the whole business upon an improved basis. We are singularly fortunate in possessing in the north hot springs .of a wonderfully curative nature, if scientifically administered; while in the far south, ir the cold lakes, which to a large section of the community are entirely unknown, we have health resorts of the very first order. Each and all of these localities must he popularised and must bo brought more readily and ehcaply within tho roach ot those who wish to visit them. I may state that the Government art not at all satisfied with the steamer arrange ments on the cold lakes in the south. Whilr we have no desire to interfere with or stilk private enterprise, it does appear to be desirable that the railways of the colony, whicl. belong to the people, and have an enormoin sum. of money invested in them, should bt availed of to a very much greater extent thai is the case at present for the purpose of enabling people to visit the.wonder spots of oui colony. It ought to be placed within reach of pedple of moderate means to travel from Christchureh to Queenstowu'and on to'thp Head of the Lake and spend a day or two there for very little more than the present rate which is charged by steamers alone. But until a cheaper method is established anc l the destination of the travellers made altrac tivo and comfortable for them, this desideratum cannot be brought about. The Government have decided, therefore, to have plans and designs for a 16-knot steamer to be prepared to be placed upon Lake Wakatipu, and to carry 1000 passenger*. If such a boat werr available for, say, a week-end cheap sen-ice over the railways and lake 3 there is no reason ■why hundreds of people for each one that now ■ visits these localities shojild not do so. And .the same remarks apply with equal force to Rotorua, Hanmer. Mount Egmont, Mounl Cook, and -the Wanganui River. Arrangements could be made by which people could ■visit these placee at regular periods at fixed dates, and if the Government can make them cleaner and more attractive in every way in addition to extending proper travelling facilities; it ought to prove a blessing to people generally. ■