HIGHWAYS OF EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 8

HIGHWAYS OF EMPIRE.

ADVERTISING EXHIBITION.

A COLOURFUL ARRAY.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE APPARENT.

The second annual exhibition of the Auckland Advertising Club reflects great credit upon those responsible for its conduct. The exhibition occupies the main Town Hall, the Concert Chamber, and the supper room, and is a combination of advertising methods and their application to business. The main hall, which, naturally, houses the most important sections of the exhibition, can hardly be recognised to-day, owing to its colourful array of exhibits, which make the huge chamber appear comparatively small. The people's gallery is converted into a picture gallery, decorated with the work of uoster artists

from all parts of the world, a feature being some of the latest products calling attention to British and British Dominions railway systems and tourist resorts.

One of the most outstanding posters which should bo seen, if possible, by every child attending school in Auckland, is entitled "Highways of Empire." Its size is 20ft by 10ft, being in reality a map in four colours, illustrative of the trade routes of the world, the exhibit being the property of the British Empire Marketing Board. It is a poster ot the highest order, containing wonderful scroll work and drawing, giving details of British trade routes, etc., and containing poetical quotations appropriate to ali parts of the Empire. As an educational feature "Highways of Empire" deserves more than passing attention.

Many well-known institutions and business firms are housed on the main floor, including a large stall belonging to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, which is at the foot of the main stairway. This is replete with everything manufactured at the institute, and special permission has been given for the sale to the public of any article they choose to buy. The poster display in the people's gallery and around the balcony contains specimens by leading English artists, as well as local designers. The collection has been loaned to the club by Messrs. Chandler and Co.

Ihe Government has risen to the occasion, and is responsible for some exceedingly fine exhibits, in regard to trade and commerce, transport and tourist resorts. The New Zealand Government Overseas Publicity Board, the members of which include representatives of the Departments of Industries and Commerce, Railways, Tourist, Health, and Publicity, is responsible for the exhibits, industry and commerce being depicted in transparencies, as shown at world exhibitions, such as Panama Exposition, Canadian National Exhibition, and Wembley. The products of the country, such as wool, fruit, butter and dairy produce generally, are shown in attractive exhibit form, while the exhibit itself is canopied by a transparent illustration of New Zealand's trade, both imports and exports. by representations side by side of a full-rigged ship of 1877, when our trade was ,£13,000,000, a four-masted steamer in 1902, when our total • trade was £26,000,000, side by side with the palatial Aorangi, showing the ratio ot our trade in 1927 as compared with the other periods, when our imports and exports had risen to £100,000,000. This is an educative exhibit which should be seen by every visitor to the exhibition. "Travel by Rail." Safety, comfort and economy" is the slogan of the Railway Department whose exhibit of a railway compartment passing through the country is very novel. A mechanical arrangement in the background gives the impression that the carriage is moving, the scenery passing the carriage window continuously. Another railway exhibit shows ii full,miniature train in motion, a railway station being represented in detail. The Tourist Department is also well represented by photographs, etc. fhe Auckland City Council has an interesting exhibit, including an order paper of 1881. consisting of one sheet, when Mr. J. McCosh Clarke was Mayor. Opposite this is a modern order paper of May 22, 1928, consisting of 119 tool sea p sheets closely typewritten. Iwo line panoramic photographs which were sent to the Toronto Exhibition, their dimensions being each 10ft by f>ft have a prominent place, while* the "Municipal Record" is specially featured, together with letters of acknowledgment from ail parts of the world the "Record ' has been circulated An exhibit shows the great advancement made by the city in comparativelv few years. Described as a world's record is an exhibit of "The Model House," replete with every convenience, furnished in every department, including household commodities and eatables. This modern brick residence has been built in Ob hours, and the various firms who assisted in its construction and the provision of building materials, furniture, etc., are justly proud of their achievement. The "Auckland Star." The "Auckland Star's" exhibit features the fact that it has the largest calculation of any evening, newspaper in New Zealand. The artistic stand includes a Miehle printing press in full work turning oqt a -long run" job. farming department of the newspaper is represented by an exhibition of Angora rabbits and the products of Angora wool, this being part of a scheme advocated bv the "New Zea'inrl Smallholder" for introducing commercial rabbit keeping into New Zealand. e moving picture industry is represented by many fine posters of pictures, screened or to be shown. The supper room, containing large posters, is eing used tor the exhibition on the screen ot industrial and scenic films 'le tea ca » be obtained by the audience at a nominal charge. The Concert Chamber is entirely set apart for trade exhibits, manv line displays being housed.