MAKING N.Z. KNOWN

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 12, 16 July 1928, Page 10

MAKING N.Z. KNOWN

SCOPE IN AUSTRALIA ALL KEENLY INTERESTED After a six weeks' tour of Australia, Mr. A. 11. Messenger, of .the Government Publicity Office, has returned to Wellington more convinced, than ever that the continent across the Tasman offers an extraordinary fruitful field for the activities of his Department. "Wherever I went, and I went to a very large number of places during my tour," said Mr. Messenger to-a "Post" representative, soon after ho landed from the Makura, "I found the keenest interest in New Zealand.-' ■■The main object of my trip was to arrange for th crcciprocal-interchange- of visitors, a project which interested apparently everyone from Premiers downward. All were agreed that it was time that Australians knew'more c* New Zealand." Many people were amazed, added Mr. Messenger, when told or shown pictures of New Zealand's unique scenery and wonders, but it was not only that aspect of:the Dominion which interested them. Our dairying and agricultural problems, the disease of cattle and -stock, and similar subjects wers all asked about, a further indication of the need- for a. more intensive publicity campaign. There was no doubt, commented Mr. Messenger, that Australia most' efficiently advertised her own attractions. They certainly had some .wonderful scenery of their own, and a well-orga-nised publicity campaign, but New Zealand had plenty to offer that Australia had not. Crowds anually went from Australia to England and Europe, although but four days' sail away there was New "Zealand which could offer them all that they wanted in the way of scenery or sport. "All that is needed to capture a big percentage of these tourists is to make New Zealand better known, to let Australians know that we 'have the goods.' This will need a properly organised campaign, for it is the day of keen competition in publicity matters, whether dealing with countries or businesses. It is 'of no use sitting still and waiting for business to come to you; you must be'up and after it. If, during the summer and autumn months, we arc going to capture tho Australian tourist, we must advertise pictoiially, verbally, and by tho written word what we have to offer, and advertise not once but perpetually. A special campaign mus' be launched, and onco launched kept gnjng." Australia's own climate was too good in the winter, suggested Mr. Messenger, to expect Australians to come here much during the winter months. ' In fact, Australia offered a splondid holiday for New Zealanders vho wished to escape their own winter months, for practically any climate desired could bo Hound, for instaue'e, between Melbourne and Brisbane. Mr. Messenger, who was accompanied throughout the trip by his wife, saw much of Australia's varied scenery and occupations. The Australian, he said, was not a, whit different from the New Zealander, always friendly and hospitable. North of Brisbane sugar cane, banana, and pineapple plantations wore visited, and on' the Northern Kiveis trip from Brisbane to Newcastle it was of interest to find stud dairy herds amongst the sugar ctmo plantations. "Kangaroos, emus, and a 300-milo stretch of oucalptus forest made our party feel that we wore really seeing Australia," concluded Mr. Messenger, "and, of course, we visited the Federal Capital, Canberra, where we met Mr. Bruce, the Federal Prime Minister, who was as much interested ay anyone'else in. our mission."