TORONTO EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 17, 15 October 1926, Page 3

TORONTO EXHIBITION

SUCCESS OF NEW ZEALAND DISPLAY

REPORT OF MR. J. W. COLLINS

“The general comment made by the Press and people generally on the New Zealand display has been most commendatory,” says Mr. J. W. Collins, Deputy-Commissioner in his report to the Department of Industries and Commerce on the Dominion's exhibit at the Canadian National Exhib- ’ ton, which was held in Toronto from August 28 to September 11 Mr. Collins states that everything was ready for the opening day, and the work was done in time to permit of a visit by 1000 guests of the Canadian National Exhibition management on the day before the opening. At the time of writing, the Exhibition had been running four days. On the first day, the attendance was 101,000; on the second, 90,000 and on the third, 211,000. Those figures were an improvement on the previous year. The space occupied by the New Zealand section was 22,000 square feet. The programmes at the kinema were very popular, and it was difficult to get the room clear, many people staying to see the pictures twice Sixteen sittings, with attendances of 120 people at each, were taking place every day. The greatest interest was taken in the New Zealand exhibits from the trade point of view, the report continues. Inquiries had been made by traders in Canada as to the possibility of conducting business in such goods as New Zealand-made travelling rugs, blankets, binder twine, agricultural seeds (particularly grass), and tinned delicacies. The Tourist Bureau which had been set up in the New Zealand section had readily supplied information. In the first day a party of four had been booked up for a six weeks’ tour of the Dominion, at an estimated cost (excluding hotel expenses) of £lOO per head Quite a number of people had signified their intention of visiting Ntew Zealand at the first opportunitv. “It was rather disconcerting to find, from the agents of the Union Steam Ship Companv in Toronto, proceeds Mr. Collins, that their vessels sailing from Vancouver and San Francisco were fuilv liooked up for some months ahead. This applied especially to the Vancouver vessels.”