"AUSTRALASIA"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 22, 27 July 1928, Page 8

"AUSTRALASIA"

(To the Editor.) Sir,—-I notice a reference in the very excellently compiled annual report issued by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to the efforts made to discourage the use of the word "Australasia." Except that one or two journals have altered their names to read "Australian and New Zealand ," little success seems to have been achieved. There can be no question at all that we are seriously affected by the use of the objectionable term in question, and some more active measures are needed. So long as we submit to the use of the word, so lon§ shall we cease to exist as a separate entity in the minds of people overseas. It is surprising what a large amount of our business with English and foreign manufacturers _is done through Australian agents, this simply because the impression seems to exist overseas that New Zealand is a small island quite close to the coast of Australia. Those who do discover the real position through a visit to these islands usually take prompt steps to arrange for direct representation, but a very active campaign by the Associated Chambers of Commerce is necessary, and in this connection the High Commissioner could be very useful. I recently read an article in an English journal deploring' the large amount of business going from New Zealand to the United States, but can you wonder at it when so many English houses try to sell their goods in this country through Australia? It would be just as sensible for them to do their Canadian business through New York. Our sporting writers especially are very prone to use the term "Australasia." It seems that it is not good enough for a man to be champion of New Zealand; these writers must introduce Australia. What we need is a stronger national spirit.—l am, etc., TRADE DIRECT. Wellington, 26th July. „