POPULARISING THE DOMINION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 11

POPULARISING THE DOMINION.

\Y ELLINGTON, August 17. That the Publicity Department situated at New Zealand House, London, has done some great work in England towards popularising the Dominion was the view’ expressed by Mr J. Craigie, M.L.C.. who returned from a trip abroad to-day. Many people in the Old Country, he said, would come out to try their fortune in New Zealand but for the fact that this tymd of ours was so very far away. There was no doubt we owe a debt of gratitude to our Publicity Department, for it had done everything that could be done to boost this land. Motion pictures were shown at the New Zealand House, and all inquiries were answered, the stranger being told the exact position here. At big shows, fairs, and at other place where Jarge crowds gathered lectures were given about our country, the result being that widespread interest was aroused. Speaking of conditions in England at the present time, Mr Craigie stated that everyone seemed to be complaining of the heavy taxation which was forced upon them. A great number of farmers were going bankrupt, and nearly all of them blamed taxation for it. He found things pretty well the samo in Scotland—his native land. In that country there was much unemployment and much poverty, although the people were stout of heart and very optimistic. The Scottish people were very patriotic, said Mr Craigie. There was a growing feeling that they should have their own Parliament. The reason for this desire was that they thought there were many Scottish things of importance they could discuss better amongst themselves.