VISIT TO MOUNT COOK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 5

VISIT TO MOUNT COOK

A PARLIAMENTARY GATHERING ENJOYABLE TIME Members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives who were in a position to do so accepted the invitation of the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Co., to spend the week-end at the Hermitage, and those who made the trip were privileged to spend a thoroughly enjoyable time. On the trip up, the visitors were afforded a fine view of the Alps, while on Sunday they were taken to the Ball Hut. and from there on to the Tasman Glacier. With one exception none of the party had previously been in the Alpine district, and after a day spent in the heart of the Alps they were able fully to appreciate the efforts being made to induce tourists to visit this part of the Dominion. A complimentary dinner was accorded the visitors, and at this, opportunity was taken by the managing-director of the Company (Mr R. L. Wigley) to extend a welcome to members of the party. Mr Wigley said that it was unfortunate that the time selected for the trip had not been more opportune, but they hoped at a later date to have the pleasure of the company of a majority of the members of both Houses. He said that in his opinion the tourist industry should be ranked among the first three in the Dominion, and he was glad to see that the present Government recognised the value of the Industry, from w'hich a great deal of revenue could be derived. Why greater recognition had not been accorded it he did not know, excepting that perhaps it was because New Zealand had been regarded primarily as a producing country. The opportunity which had been afforded the members of the party to see the Southern Alps should stand them in good stead when matters relating to the tourist industry came up for consideration. Every effort was being made to encourage young people to visit the Alpine region, special weeks being held for secondary school girls and boys, while at a conference held in Christchurch recently satisfactory arrangements had been made with the Federated Mountain Clubs with the idea of assisting young mountaineers. It might be thought in some quarters that any assistance granted by the Government would be helping private enterprise, but this was not so, for anything that was done would ultimately benefit the whole of the Dominion. There had been a good deal of talk about North v. South Island so far as the tourist industry was concerned, but he was satisfied that the Tourist Department was giv-

ing the South Island a fair spin. The chief drawback to the South Island was its geographical position. Of the publicity issued by the Department, the South Island received more than 50 per cent. One of the sources of the trouble was that the hotel keepers and other interests in the North Island, once they got hold of the tourists, endeavoured to hold them there. There was a time when the lakes in the North Island were referred to as the hot lakes and those in the South as the cold lakes, and this Influenced people against coming to the South. Now. however, the lakes in the south were referred to as the Southern Lakes. Even the Springboks, when they were in the north, were told that they would freeze if they went to Mount Cook, but they accounted the visit to the Alps the most enjoyable part of their tour. In conclusion, Mr Wigley expressed a hope that the Government would be able to accord the industry a greater measure of support.

Member Replies Replying on behalf of the party, Mr R. McKeen, Member for Wellington South, said that they regretted that more had not been able to make the trip, but when they went back and told their colleagues what a splendid time they had had, he was sure that all would be keen to visit Mt. Cook at a later date. Personally, he had looked forward to the visit for many years, and it had been a wonderful experience. He was sorry that more Members had not been able to make the trip, but it was necessary that the work of Parliament should go on. When the next trip did take place, he hoped the Minister in charge of the Department (Hon. F. Langstone) would be able to make the visit, for he was keenly Interested.

Mr McKeen said that he had been pleased to hear Mr Wigley say that the Department did not favour either Island. He had deprecated discussions which had gone on in regard to one I-land receiving better treatment than the other, for it made it appear to outsiders that they were quarrelling am'-nr themse ed ‘hat in recent years more was being done to encourage tourists, and he realised that the amount being spent was not sufficient to enable a proper boost to be given. Thb pamphlets and booklets which wei. being issued were as good as any he had seen i /where in the world, but in spite of this there were peon who returns i om overseas, and who said that New Zealand should do so and so.

Interest In Country Mr McKeen went on to say that last year he had visited Geneva, and while there had distributed hundreds of booklets on New Zealand. The Conference at Geneva had bee attended by about 400 delegates, repress 50 countries, and before he lelt the citv he had been besieged by representatives asking him to send booklets to their respective governments. This was a clear indication that people