PUBLICITY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 10

PUBLICITY.

ADVERTISING N.Z. ABROAD.

The subject of organising a publicity campaign to advertise Now Zealand at the British Empire Exhibition was discussed nt iast night's meeting of the executive of .tho Canterbury Progress League. Mr A. F. Wright (treasurer), who returned yesterday from a twelve months' trip abroad, addressed tho executive on the great need for a widespread and thorough publicity system of keeping New Zealand before the of the English public. While? at. Homo, said Air Wright, lie had found that there was such a laeii of reference to New Zealand in the English Press that it was a matter for comment whenever Now Zealanders foregathered. Wiien one knew how generous the London Press could be, it almost made one think that there was a conspiracy of silence towards New Zealand. He did not wish to criticise the High Commissioner's office, from which lie had received many kindnesses, but he thought that the office must be hampered in publicity work by short staff or lack of funds. In all the length and breadth of England he had not found ono person who was not' interested in New Zealand. There was a great drift of British immigrants to America. Six thousand desirable immigrants left Scotland in one week for America. If the right sort of publicity were given to New Zealand in the Press, the Dominion would receive a large proportion of those settlers. The Tourist Department might occupy itself more with advertising New Zealand abroad. In reply to a question, Mr Wright said tiie Exhibition would be a good thing for New- Zealand, but it was a long way off. The sito of the High oiiice, lie added, was a good one, and there was a good window display, but it did not advertise so largely as Australia. Mr A. G. Henderson said, regarding London Press publicity, that the supply of matter did not rest with any organisation in New Zealand. P/uring the war there'was a certain amount of publicity given to New Zealand, out tlie amount had decreased since the war. In comparison with the other Dominions, he believed New Zealand got a, fair amount of space in the Home papers, but it was worthy of a great deal more. This additional publicity could be increased by the establishment of a New Zealand Publicity Department. He advocated tho distribution of more propaganda pamphlets and folders. If they kept a picture of the country before the eyes of travelling people long enough they would create the desire to boo the original. Mr G. H. Holford said the Government was spending a good deal of money on sectional advertising for the Empire Exhibition, but he thought the League could do something towards advertising Canterbury. He would suggest that the League obtain (views of local stock and • farming scenes io be included in the booklets to be published by the Government. They should aJso ask the Government to take films of harvesting operations in Canterbury tor screening at the Exhibition. Mr W. E. Leadley spoke in support of Mr Henderson's suggestion of the establishment of a New Zealand Publicity Department.' Mr It. Macartney said' they should not close the discussion without some reference to the very' good publicity work which had. been done' in 'London in the last few weeks by their own "greatest commercial traveller." lie believed th)ati'the personal' element, such as that introduced by Mr Massev, was invaluable. The chairman (Mr W. K. McAlpine) said that Mr Climie was preparing publicity literature covering all the points mentioned by the speakers. Mr P. R. Climie (organiser) thanked the speakers for their suggestions. He believed he was safe in saying thas they were doing as well as any of the other districts in the matter of .Exjiibition publicity. He was making enquiries regarding a. cinema film, as he did not wish to overlap with the Government.