CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 48, 20 November 1928, Page 13

CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

REPORT ON NEW ZEALAND’S EXHIBITS ATTRACTIVE AND USEFUL DISPLAY New Zealand’s effort nt the Canadian National Exhibition in 1928 was tery modest compared with the display that was made in 1926. Nevertheless n association with the Empire Board, the Dominion made a five, practical, and useful exhibition of its products, its tourists resorts, and appropriate films. , ~ Exhibits of fleeces, opossum and rabbit skins, leather, flax, and binder l Uiiit, rugs, and blankets, and grass seeds ere supplied direct from New eal '!" d ’ a8 _ also were booklets and other tourist I p gamla, including films The High Commissioner’s Office, London, supplemented these exhibits with displays of meat, apples, honey, dried milk, mineral specimens. sporting trophies, and photo giaphs. Report.

The New Zealand Court at Toronto was in charge of an officer of the staff ot the High Commissioner’s Office, London, and the following is a resume of Ins reP °Th'e Toronto Exhibition. 1928, and New Zealand’s participation in conjunction with the Empire Marketing Doard, can be regarded as an undoubted sue cess. The attendance nt the Exhibition totalled over 2,000.000. The popularity of New Zealand was shown by the immense number of people who made a cim ful inspection of the exhibit, and t ie ’’ terest displayed was very gratifying. Th. officer in charge was m-PCMPfI bv the large number or intelligent the desire shown for m formotion about New Zealand. A special effort was made to interest and attract tourists. At the same time, tiadt inqun ies received particular attention, and merchants and others, inffiuriwere riven the names and addresses or suppliers in New Zealand, in order that direct communication might be initiaedThe exhibition was visited by the New Zealand representatives to the Ernpii Parliamentary delegation —namely, the Hon. Mr. Nosworthy and Messrs. Rhodes ul lordan M.P.’s. The only outside Dominion other than New Zealand represented in person at the exhibition wa. South Africa, and the action of these two Dominions in sending special officers was very favourably regarded by the Canadian authorities. School Teachers’ Interest. Particularly keen interest was shown bv school teachers in New Zealand s display, a number of whom expressed a desire for general literature suitable tor use in teaching children the resources and geography of the Empire. This in(miry was no doubt due to the fact that for the first time in the history of the Canadian National Exhibition the exhibits from all parts, of the British Empire were combined in the Empire Marketing Board’s display. There are many keen sportsmen in Canada and the United States. Many ot these visited the exhibition, and were particularly interested in the fine specimens of trout, antlers’ and boars heads displayed by New Zealand. Many of these visitors indicated their intention of visiting New Zealand next season. Of the mineral specimens the kauri gum naturally attracted most attention. Possibilities For Dried Milk. It appears that a certain quantity of’ dried milk manufactured in the Dominion finds its may to the Canadian markets, and tho officer in charge formed the opinion that the exploitation of the Canadian market would justify the expenditure, as, owing to the severe winter, the supplies of fresh milk, except from housed cows, are very limited. Although Canadians prefer a clear honey of thin consistency, very favourable opinions concerning the flavour of New Zealand honey were expressed by purchasers who obtained samples of this commodity at the exhibition. It appears that there is sufficient honey produced in Canada to meet the normal demand, but if New Zealand producers desire to sell honey in Canada should be made available some months before August, as the Canadian season for new honey commences during that month. Furthermore, any honey to be marketed should be of a thinner consistency than that which is now sold on the British market. Very favourable comments were expressed about the quality and appearance of New Zealand apples. Both wholesale and retail fruiterers expressed themselves in very complimentary terms regarding the flavour and the fine condition in which New Zealand apples arrived on the Canadian market last season. General regret was expressed that supplies were so limited, and this opinion has been conveyed to the New Zealand Fruit Board with a request that much larger shipments be made next season. The first of the Canadian apple crop— Red Astrakans —appear on the market early in September. During the months May, June, July and August supplies are drawn chiefly from the Southern States of America, but the New Zealand product, both on account of its flavour and condition, and particularly its country of origin, is expected to easily hold its own with the imports of other coun’U The exhibit of rugs and blankets was generally admired. Travelling rugs are not used to any great extent in Canada as all trains, motor-cars. etc., are artificially heated. The quality, however, of the New Zealand product was most favourably commented upon and if Canadians could be induced to adopt the fashion of using travelling rugs there would undoubtedly be a first-class market for New Zealand’s rugs, which are generally considered as the best in the world. Interest, in Skins. The exhibit that probably attracted more attention than any other in the New Zealand Court was the display of rabbit and opossum skins. The comments concerning the tanning and general condition of these skins were most favourable. It is confidently expected that as a result a marked extension of New Zealand's trade in these products with Canada and the United States will eventuate. / The fleeces supplied made’ an attractive exhibit. They were made available for close inspection by many wool buyers and experts who visited the New Zealand Court, and all were unanimous in classing the wool ns of extremely high quality. Many of the visitors who examined this exhibit stated that they were already buyers of New Zealand wool. It appears that the spools of hinder twine made in New Zealand contain much shorter lengths than those used by Canadian farmers, and for this reason it is rather difficult, to dispose of binder twine made in New Zealand. Binder twine of a strength suitable for New Zealand crops is said to be heavier than that which is used for Canadian crops. A lighter twine is therefore required in Canada. The quality of the samples of flax in bales and in hanks, as well as all the binder twine exhibited, was commented upon most favourably by those who examined this exhibit. Interest in Leather Exhibit. The leather exhibit created considerable interest, with very practical, results in that the whole of the exhibit was sold in Canada, ami several inquirers indicated their intention of communicating direct for the purpose of establishing contact with manufacturers in New Zealand. The purchasers of the exhibit were more than pleased with the quality of the leather, and the officer in charge states that before he left Toronto they had written to the tanners in New Zealand with a view to transacting further and continuing business. . A very comprehensive collection ot

New Zealand grass seeds was displayed, and although inquiries received for this product were rather few. those who inspected the exhibit were greatly impressed bv the bright appearance and high quality of the seeds. . The only kinema theatre in the -rounds of the exhibition was that operated bv the Ontario Government, and by the courtesy of the manager arrangements were made for the New Zealand films to be included in the programme. It was stated that many of the films of the Dominion of New Zealand were most attractive, mid the request _ for copies of a number of them was received from the Ontario Government, which is arranging for further displays in that province. . , Generally speaking, the-New Zealand exhibit, although of a very modest nature was nevertheless comprehensive in that’ it included the main items that should be displayed at an exhibition such as this, and the merits of the display have been emphasised by independent visitors “ffil the Canadian exhibition authorities. , fl’he selection, collection mid dispatch of the exhibits provided direct from New Zealand were undertaken by the New Zealand Government. Department of Industries and Commerce.