Secondary Source Report 3: ‘Call of the Beaches’: Rail Travel and the democratisation of holidays in interwar New Zealand by Neill Atkinson

 

Secondary Source Report 3: ‘Call of the Beaches’: Rail Travel and the democratisation of holidays in interwar New Zealand by Neill Atkinson

Hayley Fitzgerald

 

Complete citation:

Atkinson, Neill. The Journal of Transport History; London Vol. 33, Iss. 1, pg. 1-20 (Jun 2012), accessed from: https://search-proquest-com.elibrary.jcu.edu.au/docview/1220670559?pq-origsite=summon

Image Credit: The Journal of Transport History: Vol. 33. Journal includes article: ‘Call of the Beaches’: Rail Travel and the democratisation of holidays in interwar New Zealand by Neill Atkinson pg. 1-20

Key Words:

New Zealand

Travel

Cultural

History

Democratic paradise

Australia

Tourism

Brief Overview:

‘Call of the beaches’ refers to the imagined of a vigorous democratic paradise, where throughout the journal, Atkinson discusses the railroad travel in New Zealand during the interwar period. Beaches are a central place in New Zealand’s cultural history which reinforces a popular nationalistic view of a tolerant society, Atkinson refers to this and also discusses the increasing benefits of modernity and leisure while travelling within the early 1930s.

Summary of key points:

-          Beach occupy a central place in New Zealand's cultural history, reinforcing a popular nationalistic view of a uniquely egalitarian and tolerant society.

-          By the 1920s and 1930s a significant proportion of middle- and even working-class New Zealanders enjoyed paid annual holidays of a week or two, which they typically took over the Christmas-New Year's period, or in January or February-mid-summer.

-          1 Day trips from Wellington had been possible and popular for decades, but by the interwar period the 'standby of this traffic' was 'the beach-dweller' (the word 'bach', derived from bachelor, being local slang for a modest holiday cottage). According to the Post:

there is scarcely any section, creed, or profession that does not supply its quota. And, once the holidaymakers have quitted the train, distinctions which previously existed almost completely disappear.

Important Quotations:

“Beach occupy a central place in New Zealand's cultural history, reinforcing a popular nationalistic view of a uniquely egalitarian and tolerant society. Of course, the benefits of modernity, progress and leisure have never been evenly shared-and perhaps seldom less so than during the Great Depression of the early 1930s.” 

“little research into the origins of domestic tourism in New Zealand, but most historians agree that, as in Britain, the United States, Australia and other similar societies, the interwar years saw a decisive democratisation and diversification of consumption, including the consumption of travel, recreation and holidays.”

“James Belich assumed that 'the prerequisites of the classic Kiwi holiday away from home included the paid holiday period or one or two weeks and of the motorcar'. Both, Belich explains, were widely available to middle-class New Zealanders from the mid-1920s and to the working class in the late 1930s and 1940s-although in the case of cars more especially after the Second World War, an era of unprecedented prosperity.”

“Britain's far-flung South Pacific colony of New Zealand was a child of the railway age, that 'epic era when the steam locomotive was the snorting spearhead of modernity'; this was a nation 'born modern'. Together with the electric telegraph and the steamship, railways expanded horizons and conquered distance, helping to ensure that, despite its 'exceptional physical remoteness', New Zealand was never socially or culturally isolated from its parent society, or from North American, Australian and other influences.” 

“railways and tourism shared a long history. Early lines were built to link ports, mines, forests and farming districts, but since the 1870s NZR had run regular excursions carrying picnickers, 'pleasure parties' and spectators to beaches, parks, showgrounds, sports events and racecourses. Day excursions were initially more popular than longer trips, as paid holidays were rare and few people could afford the cost of overnight accommodation, even if it was available.” 

Usefulness to our group topic or individual project:

This journal article would be useful if you were looking at the history of travelling, specifically, in New Zealand and railroads. Atkinson discusses thoroughly about the interwar period of travel and refers to Australia which could be a useful insight as well.