INTERVIEW WITH MR DONNE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8673, 13 July 1906, Page 3

INTERVIEW WITH MR DONNE

(*p— ADVERTISING NEW ZEALAND.,

AUSTRALIA AND THE EXHIBITION. tFnoai Ouk Correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, July 13. • Mr T. E. Donne, just returned from Australia, has been discoursing to a "Pest" reporter of what he had done and seen in Australia.

Firstly, as to tlie Tourist Department, the chief object of Mr Donne's visits everywhere. The outcome is thafc New Zealand- bureaus have been established in the two chief cities of Australia. These institutions are intended to Tbe disseminators of information, on this colony's industries, produce, climate, tourist resorts, etc. The Melbourne agency was started first, under Mr H. J. Manson, an ex-New Zealander, in very fine premises in Collins Street, one of the most conspicuous sites in the city. A large room hx.s been set aside for the use of the public, and this has been made as attractive in. the retsources of New Zealand will allow. The walls are "adorned with paintings, photographs and maps, and on the tables lie albums of photographs and stereoscopic apparatus. Nothing that will catch the eye and hold it has been overlooked. The enterprise, however, does not stop indoors. The exterior ie nicely finished in a scheme of decoration whioh oannot fail to arrest

the passer-by, and in the night there is a flash-light making "New Zealand Exhibition " glow in the darkness at intervals of five second-. Though the office had been opened only a few days before Mr Donne left Melbourne, the tally of callers had gone -above two hundred. On the very day that the portals were unswung, a farmer entered and made inquiries about New Zealand. The replies so pleased him that he caught the next boat for this country. Similar offices have been equipped in Sydney, at the oorner of .George and Wynyard Streets, one of the finest stand, ihat oould be secured for the class of work. This bureau is in the care of Mr E. H. Montgomery, who was recently the Department's agent at Auckland. The office will employ a flash-light, which will have the distinction of being the first ever used in Sydney. Secondly, in regard to the Exhibition, which has taken similar precedence in the Canterbury mind.. Mr Donne visited Queensland, New South Wales and. Victoria, and found that the interest in the international project had materially improved. At a conference of Premiers a few months ago it was decided that the States should not participate in the Exhibition, but that attitude has been altered. New South Wales is actively interested, and will have a very good display. Mr Donne thinks Victoria has also oome well into line The Premier (Mr Bent) declared come timo ago that he would not give a " stiver," but now the Government has -decided to spend £1000 or £2000 on behalf of Victoria. Mr W. H. Oroker, -about the most prominent eolioitoir in Mel-; bourne, the Lord Mayor, and Mr A. B. Robinson, of tlie "Age," ane very industrious in fostering interest in New Zealand's great undertaking. They hold regular meetings, with Mr Manson as secretary. Discussing the prospects of attendance from Australia Mr Donne remarked that wherever he went he heard - people saying that they would go to tlie Exhibition. Of course they were looking forward to reasonable steamer fares and satisfactory accommodation in New Zealand, not only in Ohrisitchurch, but in other cities. The authorities at headqua-rteirs have given an assurance that there need be no anxiety on the score of housing. With the late Premier Mr Donne attended a conference of representatives of the Union and Huddart Parker Companies. These delegates gave an assurance that in addition to the maintenance of the ordinary time-table the Maheno and the Riverina would run to Lyttelton, and other steapmers would be commissioned as circumstances required. The crucial questaon of fares waa mooted, and the best obtainable was a promise to refer the matter to the principals. Mr Donno, in reply to questions, intimated that he had something to say about the new Federal mail contract and its relation to this country, but must be silent at present.