ADVERTISING THE DOMINION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 May 1925, Page 4

ADVERTISING THE DOMINION.

GOOD W'OIMv BEI N'G DONE. SAMPLES AT WINTER SHOW. Unfortunately, vsonie New Zealanders are only too ready to,jump to the conclusion that anything that is done by this country l<* advertise our wonderful land abroad is paltry and insignificant when compared with the policy of “boost” adopted elsewheie. They imagine that the Government remains inert while the large body of tourists are allowed to slip pa*t our doors. The truth, is that the Government through its Publicity Department has, during the past two years, built up an organisation which carries the message of New Zealand into every land, over one thousand .agencies combining to circle the globe in every direction, and provide the people ol all countries with information about New Zealand. Something of the extensive nature tSf the work that i« being carried out was gleaned yesterday’ by a Stab reporter in an, interview with Mr. 11. \V. Fenton, who is at present in Hawera in connection with arrangements for the Publicity Department’s comprehensive exhibit at the forthcoming Winter Show.

Touching on the agencies through.out the world, Mr. Fenton said that Messrs. Thonuts Cook and Sons had put the whole of their organisation at the department’s disposal, as far as advertising New Zealand was concerned. It was unnecessary to eay that full advantage was being taken of the opportunity. Booklets. folders, photographs and enlarged photographs were being'distributed to that- firm, and the results being obtained were excellent. Further, Mr. H. D rew had been stationed in London since the firet dosing of the Wembley Exhibition, and with sound, illuminating articles he had succeeded in placing before the British public, per medium of the jpress, much information concerning New Zealand’s attractions. He had also arranged many lectures, his last report -stating that 400 audiences had neen entertained in that manner during the "past three months. The lastcablegram from Mr. Drew had contained a request for a monthly supply of- photographs to' meet the requirements of twoi thousand schools and colleges, all interested in that farawav British possession, New Zealand. “One of the biggest phases of the Publicity Department’is work,’’ said Mr. Fenton, “is that of the taking and distributing of cinematograph films." He said that since the .first closing of the Wembley Exhibition the department had sent HoiYie about 4/0,000 feet of films depicting the industrial side of life here as as the great scenic beauties. Mr. lienton said that it was the intention of the department to establish a circuit on which films would be shown. Further, an arrangement had been made whereby Now Zealand scenes would shortly be screened on board the boats coming out from the Old Country. In this way passengers would be able to gain some idea of what the country they were going to really contained. Special souvenir booklets dealing with New Zealand would also be distributed amongst the officers and men aboard the boats. . . In addition to films Mr Fenton said that a great number of coloured lantern slides had been sent to England, where they were being used to illustrate the lectures. In conclusion, Mr Fenton saicl there were about- 14 officers on the staff of the Publicity Department, including two cinema men and one photographer, who were on the road practically all the year round. In addition to these men,' outside photographers were also employed. Both Mr Fenton and Mr L. O. Hooker (secretary of the South Taranaki Winter Show Co.) are satisfied that the Publicity Department’s exhibit at the forthcoming show will be one of the main features of this year’s exhibition. The department will occupy a room 40ft by 30ft, and the exhibit will include about 2000 photographs, some of which are coloured and are in themselves works of artistic beauty well worth anyone’s attention. Instead of giving booklets to visitors to send to their friends abroad, (booklets which usually are never sent) the visitors will be invited to give the department tlieir friends’ addresses, and the department will forward the literature, together with a card from the friend in New Zealand. It is to be hoped that as many visitors to the Winter Show as possible will avail themselves of the department’s offer. The department is doing its best to advertise this Dominion abroad, and in the good work it is doing it is worthy of the support of all New Zealanders.

ADVERTISING NEW ZEALAND. WELLINGTON, May 25. . The Government Publicity Office is presenting to all districts in the Dominion an opportunity of placing bebore prospective tourists the beauty spots and those of historic interest which mav be seen during a tour of the country.

The ©port-unity occurs in the pronosed issue of the booklet covering the Dominion from end to end with particulars of al 1 towns and sport to be obtained in the vicinity, is as concise and interesting form as possible. The Department lias communicated Avith Progess Leagues, Chambers of Com-, merce, and local authorities, with a request that the required information he supplied, together with any photographs of interest Avliich may be suitable for illustration purposes. The Publicity Officer points out that in the usual boolc’et and folders issued by the office it is impossible to feature every place of interest, and the present publication is being designed on lines of a tourist guide which will be of use not only to overseas tourists, but to holiday makers with in the Domin. ion. It is to be hoped that the authorities responsio'e for the supplying of the information will take advantage of this splendid opportunity to boost this particular district.