THE EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 18851, 28 January 1925, Page 1

THE EXHIBITION

HOW TO ATTRACT AUSTRALIA. DOMINION EFFORT SUGGESTED. STATE PAVILIONS. Knowing how interested he is in the Exhibition and its ultimate success, a representative of the ‘Star’ interviewed Mr Edmund Anscombe, and asked if he would furnish anything he considered of interest at this juncture as a result of his trip to Australia. Air Anscombe has supplied the following ; “Regarding the possibilities of interesting Australians in our Exhibition, when discussing this matter with gentlemen who were in a position to know and to giro a worth-while opinion, I was invariably told that if we wanted to pull many visitors iuch a distance wo should get to work early, as Australians as a rule make arrangements a long time ahead for an extensive tour. , . , “ I made close and first-hand inquiries into various matters which, in my opinion, if put through on sound business lines, must undoubtedly materially help toward the success of our Exhibition. “I am of opinion, as I always have been (and I think all will agree), that the tourist traffic is a big factor, and that the securing of overseas visitors is absolutely essential to -the success of our Exhibition. Thousands of visitors from Australia can be drawn hero if we set out in a thorough manner to secure this. In this connection, howover, I am absolutely convinced that .if we concentrate on the Exhibition alone very few visitors will bo secured to New Zealand. It is, I think, obvious that few will come for the Exhibition only; and, further, the expenditure necessary to advertise thoroughly any' project throughout even the Eastern States of Australia is, or would be, quite beyond the means of tho Exhibition Company. “ I suggest that a special sub-committee be set up with a view to launching a great New Zealand advertising campaign ; that the Government Tourist and Railway Departments, steamship companies, and every New Zealand province be appicached (through the various Progress Leagues) with a view to co-operating and making one great drive. “A strong organisation of advciUsing experts undertaking such a campaign and using the Exhibition as the magnet or main draw could, I feel sure, turn the eyes of thousands of holiday-seekers in South Australia, Victoria-, New South AA ales, Queensland, and Tasmania (in Australia), and British Columbia (in Canada), and also the Pacific Coast States of America to our shores, and make this the holiday supreme and rendezvous f'>i’ overseas tourists next summer. “ Our Exhibition presents a unique opportunity for this dominion to bring itself into the prominence it deserves, and if the above suggestion wore, enthusiast-icahy taken up and energetically carried out 1 feel certain it could not help hut bo a tremendous success. Any half-measure in advertising will accomplish little—in fact, one section (J Now Zealand wonting alono would mean only scratching the .sinnice of tho fields from which tourists can be drawn. Right- through the dominion our wonderful scenery' is an asset which m can sell over and over and over again, and still retain to sell again. “ While in America in 1922- I nt.iu-e, it my business to lintl out all I could a> to the inclinations of the American tourist, and was informed .by tourist agents and others (after exhibiting Uylhem my large, collection of photographs of Now Zealand s scenic wonders which 1 always carry with me) that thousands of Americans were tired of crossing the Atlantic, and would welcome new fields to explore, such as this dominion has to otter, if such were only brought to their notice and the nece-saiy information placed in th-cir hands. "Onlv last week, on my w..y over Hum Melbourne. I made the acquaintance of a Los Angeles tourist. He told me lie decided to make a trip to Australia, hut knew New Zealand by name only. Alter looking over my photographs (above mentioned), he could speak ot little ease than Ids regret that time would nut j»nmilIns seeing much of tins tommy .-oenery, as he had to rush through to Auckland ami cat-Sr his boat. Beloie parting, however, he. intimated his determination tu tour this country at a later date. . ■•ln connection with our Exhibition, 1. am positive on one, point that, no matter how mue.i iiteiatruo is foiv.auhd to the New Zealand and other Government cilices in Australia tor distributimi, by this means uloim our Exhibition v-iL rail receive tho advertising it shot hi. There, 1 discussed tho Exhibition v, itii All Blow (New Zealand Tourist Office m Monryi, Mr Manson (New Zealand 1 1 .Me GuimuissioiKT in Melbourne,, and .n.-o the .Stale Tourist Director in Adehi.de, and my firm opinion’ is that, willing and anxious as these otiiu-is oie to ns.-ist. ting have their own uoik to atlei.a to, and cannot he expected (nor shoalil they be looked to) to take on and ’ ho.-si the Exhibition as it must be ’ boosted.’ -An excellent opportunity lor inKertising our Exhibition lies m Adelaide s lorthcontiug Ab-Australian Exhort.on, whan will envoi’ uianulaeliii es, ails, imi list i uv., pi.-duels, etc., ami will run irom .March 27 to May 2o of this year; turther, it will aiford a ’ splendid opportunity to s'cuie exhibits. 1 interviewed .AH' \\ intertjoUom, lie- secretary, and tho one responsible lor organising the Exhibition, and he can no depended upon I" _,t\o Dun. mn cun.' assistance. Bvlore the opening u! this A.lAusiralmn Ivvhih.tum i suggest the appointment of a real live, cxp.-i icnced, and capable expert, ami that he L- provided with facilities enabling him to tavass .Australia in the interests of the Exhib.tion, iimre particularly to secure special exhibits.

"There'is one tiling that will do more lo advertise the Exhibition than hundreds of pounds spent in advert.sing in the otdinary way : that is to pcisuado the various Australian Slates to erect alour Exhibition their own .Stains pavilions, ibis would Ixi a very small matter for c.-u-h Mate, as the pavilion need he, merely a bungalow typo of building. It wou.d net house exhibits, but would hu a State publicity centre or headquarters at tho Exhibition for visitors from that particular State. It would bo furnished as a lounge and writing room, and servo as a place where Australian visitors could take their friends and rest awhile —a State Tourist Office for tho distribution of advertising matter. Get ono State interested, and every other ono in tho Commonwealth would fallow suit. “1 urge that this bo placed before tho Governments of tho various States at an early date. Failing to gel each State to have its own central pavilion, tho Commonwealth Government might he pressed to establish an All-Australian, pavilion for the purpose set out above.”