The Waikato Times, THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years. THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1906. THE TOURIST DEPARTMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8019, 27 September 1906, Page 2

The Waikato Times, THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years. THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1906. THE TOURIST DEPARTMENT.

TllE anticipated extra large iullux of visitors to the colony during the exhibition Reason has aroused more than usual interest in the doings of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, which, like many innovations introduced by the Liberal Government, has had to justify its existence in the face of much opposition, not to say, ridicule. When first mooted by Sir Joseph Ward in 1901, there were not wanting even members of Parliament who talked of the foliy of spending mouey to attract and amuse what they contemptuously termed the "check-suited tourist." Commencing in a most modest way, the Department gradually lived all this down ; and, having proved its usefulness, shown that it was really, though indirectly, reproductive, and outgrown its single oiiice in Wellington, opened agencies in the principal centres of tha colony. The increased facilities offered to the travelling public were so much availed of and appreciated, that recently operations were extended further afield, agencies being established in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide; in addition there is now under consideration the question of exploiting America. Regarding its methods, it may be said the Department, by disseminating literature and photographs throughout the whole civilised world, causes a large influx of tourists, who in turn assist in making New Zealand one of the best advertised countries. A great charm about this land as a tourist resort is that it possesses, as no other does, a rich variety of scenes and climates within small compass, Contrast the thermal districts of the North Island with the cold lakes of Otago; the bush scenery with the rich agricultural land of Canterbury: the isolated snowy peaks with the continuous ranges; the bright softness <»f Waitamata harbour with the grandear of Milford Sound ; and we have a whole continent in miniature. There is a another matter closely connected with this, and that is the preservation of scenic reserves. It is all very well to cater for the visitor but we must also minister to the needs of those of our own people who lack the time and money necessary to view these marvels. For such are the scenic reserves in and near the various centres, iu the retaining of which the Department has had no small share, and for this alone future generations will rise and bless the foresight of their forbears. But space forbids further dwelling on this aspect, because there are always to be found some who desire to see the practical side (if there be one) of even sentiment, so it must be pointed out that owing to all information being supplied free, a great deal of good is done, in conjunction with the Industries and Commerce Department iu fostering trade with other countries, besides assisting in making known more widely the conditions of lands settlement. As may be, well imagined, all this has not been done without a busiuess like man at the head of affairs, and in Mr T. E. Donne the colony has placed the right man in the right place. That personal gain is not an object may be gathered from the fact given to the House the other night, by Sir Joseph Ward, Minister in charge of the Department, that Mr Donne has refused two or three appointments outside the colony at double his present salary. Given a continuance of this high ideal we look forward confidently to a still more active and useful existence of the Department.