SOUTH ISLAND’S SCENERY

Southland Times, Issue 25514, 7 November 1944, Page 4

SOUTH ISLAND’S SCENERY

MR FORDE GREATLY IMPRESSED (Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 6. “I am satisfied after what I saw today that if tourists come to New Zealand and leave without seeing the South Island their visit is not complete,” said Mr F. M. Forde, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, when he arrived in Christchurch this morning after seeing some of the South Island’s scenic attractions from the air. Mr Forde previously had expressed his intention of seeing as much of New Zealand as possible during his stay and today he flew from Dunedin over the southern lakes to Milford Sound and then north over Mount Cook and the other ’ mountains of the Southern Alps. The flight was made in a Lockheed Lodestar aircraft of No. 41 Transport Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, piloted by Wing Commander H. C. Walker, A.F.C. With Mr Forde were Mrs Forde, the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, and members of Mr Forde’s secretarial staff. “PARADISE FOR TOURISTS”

Mr Forde, who was interviewed at Wigram while the Lodestar stopped for refuelling, said that he had been greatly impressed with what he had seen of Milford Sound, Queenstown, the Tasman and Godley Glaciers and the Canterbury Plains from the air. They showed that New Zealand was a wonder country and a paradise for tourists. He was convinced that after the war many thousands of additional people, including Australians, would come to New Zealand in the tourist season. “New Zealand is not as well known in Australia as it should be, just as Australia is not as well-known as it should be here,” said Mr Forde, “but P believe that the appointment of high commissioners and the interchange of visits by New Zealand- and Australian Ministers will lead to a better understanding of the problems of the two countries and the cementing of lasting friendships like those made by the Anzacs in the last war.”