THE PACIFIC COAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 19

THE PACIFIC COAST

TRADE AND TOURIST INTERESTS RESIDENT NEW ZEALAND COMMISSIONER . (Fbom Oub Parliamentary Ekpobte*); WELLINGTON, February 22. The Government has decided to ,appoint a ’trade and tourist commissioner with headquarters either at San' Francisco or Los Angeles. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr, B. Masters) stated in an interview to-day, that the need for this appointment had been increasingly evident and that he' had investigated the position when he passed through America with the Prime Minister last year. ; “New Zealand has, of course,” said Mr Masters, “a representative in the person of Mr, J. W. Collins in-Toronto, Canada, but It is recognised that the area to be covered and the great distances separating the western coast of America from Jthe eastern States make* it impossible for Mr Collins to maintain effective contact with the trade and tourist interests on the Pacific Slope and in' the western areas generally. New Zealand has, direct and frequent ship-* ping connection with Western America, and while at present trade with the United States is in some respects rendered difficult, action has been taken to bring about the negotiation of improved trading relations. In dealing with such matters it is- of importance that New Zealand should have a survey of the possible' avenues''for the development of / business. Moreover, even under existing conditions opportunities for increased trade no doubt exist, and’a trade commissioner.- suitably located could be of . material assistance in that, respect and in the adjustment of difficulties which arise from time to time between New Zealand exporters and trading interests and the State and • Federal authorities in America.” ‘ 1 ‘ Probably, however, the greatest field for activity for a New Zealand representative lay in. the development of ths tourist traffic. The shipping companies and- travel agencies were frequently asking for the help of a representative of the Tourist and Publicity Department in the provision of detailed information on travel in the Dominion and in the dissemination of publicity designed to attract traffic to this country. The'field :■] of possible operations in this respect was enormous, and as the Western States,, apart from their own population, had a large seasonal inflow of visitors from other States who might be induced ;to visit the Dominion, this part of the United States was a particularly valu- / able field for tourist exploitation. ,The' Trade and Tourist Commissioner to be appointed would- accordingly be expected to maintain close contact with the shipping companies and with the many travel agencies in the Western cities through which American people habitually make their arrangements for tours abroad. He would also, through lectures on the attractions and the resources- of the Dominion and through the arrangement and control of the distribution of publicity in various forms,, help , materially with up-to-date information to support and follow up the activities ' of other interests.” . “it is worthy of mention/* said the Minister, “ that Australia has for several years had at San Francisco a representative who deals purely with tourist and publicity affairs, and the value of his work is widely recognised. The Cabinet has accordingly approved* ;■ the opening of an office and the necessary appointment, which will be made without delay.”