DOMINION AT WEMBLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19236, 27 January 1926, Page 11

DOMINION AT WEMBLEY.

SUCCESS OF PUBLICITY WORK

THREE MILLION VISITORS.

CHIEF EFFECT ON MIGRATION.

[FROM OUT: OWN correspondent. ]

LONDON, Dec. 17.

A report issued by the information officer of the New Zealand pavilion at Wembley states that from time to time an attendant was stationed at the entrance with a meter to check the number of visitors. It was found that the number of people entering the pavilion was equal to a third of those entering the exhibition grounds. Thus, in 1925, it is estimated that 3,233.074 people visited the pavilion. "Clearly," says the report, "it would have been tragic if New Zealand had failed to take its place among the Dominions, colonies and dependencies that go to make up the great British Empire. Though we are a small community; it was most gratifying to find that wo held r» place second to none in tho esteem of the. British people. Even from a practical point of view the migration figures go to show a very considerable increase to nearly 10,000 for this year. When ono considers, that about 771,621 school children visited the exhibition, the impression on their minds must in years to come have a big influence on the relationship between the Dominion and Mother Country. It would be unreasonable to expect that we have as yet reaped tho full benefit of our advertising compaign at Wembley. It is fair to claim that the substantial increase in migration is duo largely to the activities of the exhibition." Distribution of Literature. With regard to literature, the report i continues, it can bo safely said that both in tho matter of printing and illustrations our publications were more than equal to those issued by any other of tho Dominions, Again, tho range of pamphlets was certainly greater than that issued anywhere else. Undoubtedly "New Zealand, 1925," was the most popular pamphlet, due probably to the fact that it was tho most comprehensive. Maps were much in demand, especially by the schools. Over 400,000 pamphlets were distributed during the period of tho exhibition. In the case of school parties, parcels were handed to tho teacher rather than to the pupils. In addition to this, ten to fifteen parcels were posted daily in response to requests from schoolmasters, whoso pupils were unable to visit the exhibition. A special distribution was made consisting of from 12 to 16 of the chief publications to 558 schools, 107 London clubs, 165 Midland and Scottish clubs, 43 American clubs, 130 chambers of commerce. Included in the literature for schools was a special circular outlining the New Zealand public school boy migration scheme. Local fairs and bazaars were also supplied with bundles of literature, together with samples of New Zealand products. Continental inquiries for literature were very numerous, especially from Franco, Denmark, Belgium and Czecho-Slovakia. Intending Settlers. In order of importance the inquiries came under the headings of migration, ' trade and finance, tourist and sport, and miscellaneous. At least 75 per cent, of tho inquiries related to migration. Engineers, doctors and other professional men and women were discouraged, as were those without any trade or profession. School teachers inquired in fairly large numbers. Applications from domestics were not as numerons as could havo been wished, j A, large number of valuable inquiries were made by comparatively well-to-do business and professional men whose capital would just allow them to livo comfortably, but who felt the drain of the heavy British taxation and at tho same time saw no openings for thoir families in England. These sought particulars of climate, housing, cost of living, educational facilities and social life generally. All the time there was a steady stream of inquiries from farmers and farm workers, many possessed of small capital. While some wero impressed With tho prospects, others were somewhat deterred by the high price of land. There were many requests for information regarding the public school boy schemeFully half the trade inquiries came from the. Continent. These had reference to dried milk, casein, milking machines, hemp, kauri gum, seeds and grain, wool, rabbit skins, opossum skins and pells. Where possible inquirers were put into touch with the London representatives of the respective shippers. Constant inquiries were made as to where New Zealand butter could bo bought in the district of the inquirer.

English and Canadian merchants were interested in the binder twine and were much impressed with the quality. Grain and seed, particularly clover seeds, always attracted a number of inquiries as to the names of tho respective shippers. The display of manufactured goods proved of great educational value and brought forth numerous inquiries. Of these most had reference to the reversible floor rug, travelling -rugs, blankets, furniture, leather, cereal foods and preserves. The milking machine was a source of special interest and brought forth a number of inquiries, both from the United Kingdom and abroad, from people who were anxious to install these machines, and in some cases to act as agents. Tourists and Sport. The number of inquiries from intending tourists was very small. Sportsmen keen on fishing and deer stalking were the more numerous. The tourist and sporting attractions of the Dominion were well recognised by visitors, but the long distance and the time, rather than tho expense, were factors that necessarily limit considerably the number of those who are financially able to make tho journey. Demobilisation work in the New Zealand Pavilion is now practically complete. All the material that has not been I (ient back to the Dominion, to the High | Commissioner's office, or to the Imperial I Institute, has been sold at satisfactory | prices. The building itself has been taken over by the liquidators. Tho original contract included the removal of the building, and this would have involved a good deal of expense, as the material is of far less value than it would have cost to remove it. It is estimated that the New Zealand Government has been saved £2OOO by tho latest arrangement.