A VISITOR FROM SIDNEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18562, 24 May 1922, Page 5

A VISITOR FROM SIDNEY

MB W. R. BLOW’S VIEWS. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, May 23. An outline of the recent activities of the New Zealand Government Tourist Office in Sydney was given yesterday by Mr W. R. Blow, officer in charge, who arrived by the Makura- “We are < constantly receiving inquiries from visitors from all parts of"the world as to the tourist attractions of New Zealand,” said Mr Blow, “and we are able to help many intending visitors. Another matter in which our omoe ,has been helping the Government lately has been placing Public Works Department contracts for Australian hardwood. Large quantities have been required in New Zealand for sleepers, telegraph and electric light poles, and instead of tendering being done by New Zealand firms, it is now do#e direct with Australian firms through our office. We call for tenders, and, after examination, make recommendations for acceptance, to the department and thus save the Government considerable money. ■ We also represent the New Zealand Customs Department, and are able to give much 1 assistance in conducting invoice inquiries. The average New Zealander on;a trip to Sydney,, .as a nil©, comes into touch with the Government agent only when he or she happens to be ‘stranded,’ and, although there has been no repetition' of the distress occasioned last' year by the shipping strike, occasional requests for help are _ received from Now Zealanders in difficulties.”

During 1 the past few months, suited Mr Blow, a number of such applications had been received from New Zealand returned soldiers in Sydney, who had been affected by the prevailing depression. At the close of the war the New Zealand Soldiers’ Reception Committee in Sydney handed over to the Government-offioer a small sum of money to be used for the benefit of “stranded’’ soldiers, and this had conle in very useful, enabling- the trustees to give relief to a number of deserving cases.