CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 20033, 26 November 1928, Page 10

CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

REPORT OH NEW ZEALAND'S EXHIBITS' ATTRACTIVE’ AND USEFUL DISPLAY New Zealand’s effort at tlio Canadian National Exhibition in 1923 was very modest compared with tho display that was made in 1926. Nevertheless, i)i association with tho Empire Marketing Board, tho dominion made a most attractive, practical, and useful exhibition of its products, its tourist resorts, and appropriate films. Exhibits of fleeces, opossum and rabbit skins, leather, flax, and binder twine, rugs and blankets, and grass seeds were supplied direct from New Zealand, as also were booklets and other tourist propaganda, including films. Tho High Commissioner’s Office, London, supplemented these exhibits with displays of meat, apples, honey, dried milk, mineral specimens, sporting trophies, and photographs. OFFICIAL REPORT. The hew Zealand Court at Toronto was in charge of an officer of tho stall of tho High Commissioner’s Office, London, and tho following is a resumo oi his report:—

Tho Toronto Exhibition, 1928, and New Zealand’s participation in conjunction with the Empire Marketing Board, can be regarded as an undoubted success. 'file attendance at the Exhibition totalled over 2.000,000. The popularity of New Zealand was shown by the immense number of people who made a careful inspection of tho exhibit, and the interest displayed was very gratifying. The officer in'charge was' particularly impressed by tho largo number of intelligent inquiries and the desire shown for information about New Zealand. A special effort was made to interest and attract tourists. At tho same time trade inquiries received particular attention, and merchants and others upon inquiry were given tho names and addresses of suppliers in Now Zealand, in order that direct communication might bo initiated.

The exhibition was visited by tho New Zealand representatives to tho Empire parliamentary delegation—namely, tho lion. Mr Nosworthy and Messrs It bodes and Jordan., M.P.s Tho only outside dominion other than New Zealand represented in person at tho exhibition was South Africa, and the action of these two dominions in sending special officers was very favourably regarded by tho Canadian authorities.

SCHOOL TEACHERS’ INTEREST, Particularly keen interest was shown by school teachers in New. Zealand's display, a number of whom expressed a desiro for general literature suitable for uso in teaching children the resources and geography of tho Empire. This inquiry was no doubt duo to ths fact that for tho first time in tho history of tho Canadian National Exhibition tho exhibits from all parts of tho British Empire were combined in tho Empire Marketing Board’s display. There are many keen sportsmen in Canada and tho United Stales. Many of these visited the exhibition, and were particularly interested in the fine specimens of trout, antlers’ and boars’ beads displayed by New Zealand. Many of these visitors indicated their intention of visiting New Zealand next season.

Of the mineral specimens tho kauri gum naturally attracted most attention.

POSSIBILITIES TOR. DRIED MILK,

It appears that a certain quantity of dried milk manufactured in the dominion finds jt.s way to the Canadian markets, and tho officer in charge formed the opinion that tho exploitation of. tho Canadian market would justify tho expenditure, as. owing to the severe winter, tho supplies of fresh milk, except from housed cows, arc 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 supplies should bo made available some months before August, as Ibo 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 tho British market.

Very favourable comments were expressed about tlio quality and appearance of New Zealand apples. Both wholesale and retail fruiterers expressed themselves in very complimentary terms regarding tlio flavour and tho lino condition in which New Zealand apples arrived on tho Canadian market last season. General regret was expressed that supplies were so limited, and this opinion has been conveyed to tlio New Zealand Emit Board, with a. request that much larger shipments bo made next season, Tho first of tho Canadian apple crop—Red Astrakhans—appear on tho market early in September. During the months May, June, July, and August supplies are drawn chiefly from the Southern Stales of America, but tho New Zealand product, both ou account of its flavour and condition, and particularly its country of origin, is expected to easily hold its own with tho imports of other countries. Tho exhibit of rugs and blankets was generally adiViired. Travelling rugs aro not used to any great extent in Canada as all. trains, motor cars, etc., aro artificially heated. The quality, however, of the Now Zealand product was most favourably commented upon, and if Canadians could bo induced to adopt tho fashion of using travelling rugs there would undoubtedly bo a firstclass market for New Zealand’s rugs, which aro generally considered as tho best in tlio world INTEREST IN SKINS.

Tho exhibit that probably attracted more attention than any other in the New_ Zealand Court was the display of rabbit and opossum skins. Tim 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 tho wool as 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 binder twine made in New Zealand contain much shorter lengths than_ those used by Canadian farmers, and for this reason it is lather difficult to dispose of hinder twino made in New Zealand. Binder twino of a strength suitable for New Zealand crops is said 10 be heavier than that which is us°d 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 cf the exhibit was sold in Canada, and several inquirers indicated their intention of communicating direct lor the put pose 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 lie left Toronto they bad written to tho tanners in New Zealand' with a view to .transacting further and continuing business. A very comprehensive collection of New Zealand grass seeds was displayed, and although inquiries received lor this product were rather few, those who inspected tho exhibit were greatly impressed by tho bright appearance and high quality of tho seeds. The only cinema theatre in tho grounds of the' exhibition was that operated by tho Ontario Government, and by the' courtesy of the manager arrangements were made for the New Zealand films to bo included in the programme. .lb was stated that many ot the films of the dominion of New Zealand was most attractive, and 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 bo displayed at an exhibition such as this, and the merits of.the display have been emphasised by independent visitors and the Canadian exhibition authorities. The selection, collection, and despatch of the exhibits provided direct from New Zealand were undertaken by the New Zealand Government Department of Industries and Commerce.