EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1414, 11 October 1923, Page 5

EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

AN APPEAL FOB SUPPORT. DISTRICT BOOKLETS TO BE PREPARED. At last Tuesday evening's meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce a lengthy letter was read froih the Wellington Chamber of Commerce seeking support of a general scheme for placing the attractions of this Dominion more prominently before the people of the Old Country and other parts of the world, per medium of the British Empire Exhibition next year. The circular read:— "In connection with the British Empire Exhibition the Dominion Advisory Council has stated that they welcome any publicity that the various towns of the Dominion can give, for in giving prominence to their respective localities they advance the charms and attractions of New Zealand as a whole. It can readily be understood that from a tourist's point of view any propaganda that will increase the interest in the Dominion by emphasising its various parts'" is going to bring the Dominion much more prominently before intending visitors who, realising the many places to see, will prolong any tour and spend a much longer time in New Zealand than they otherwise would plan to do. Any such propaganda therefore cannot be parochial if it increases the general interest in the Dominion, and to such as would consider settling in New Zealand much information could be given that would impress upon them the development that has so far taken place here in less than a century of civilised settlement and would show them that they can come to a land peopled by British peoples where they can have the general comforts and conveniences of civilisation and they will see that the residences and buildings and the civic activities and the sports and amusements are practically the same as they have been accustomed to. "While the tourist traffic in New Zealand is not likely to outrival the primary industries, still it is a not inconsiderable factor that can be further developed, and one has but to instance Switzerland to know what a source of national revenue it can become. When one thinks of the large sums tourists in the aggregate must bring into the country, the whole community must benefit, for it results in improved local trade and an increased circulation amongst, us all and the prosperity is shared by the highest to the lowest. The more overseas visitors circulate sums of money here, so the local houses are enabled to circulate further sums amongst the general community, and every business must derive benefit. "In the light of the above, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce has decided upon providing publicity matter for distribution by the Exhibition authorities, and to that end I am directed to acquaint you with our action in the matter so that any individual efforts may not be looked at in a limited sense, but will be considered broadly as from a Dominion stand point, and your centre may wish to proceed in this matter of publicity also.

"This Chamber has set itself out to form a Publicity Fund, for the amounts necessary cannot very well be provided from the ordinary revenue, and our campaign for this fund is now under way. It is intended first to send quantities of folders or booklets to the Exhibition for free distribution and also to provide views of the city and surroundings for the walls of the Court. The folders will describe the advantages of the district, but also its scenic and sporting attractions, and the views will in general show the layout of the country, the main buildings, the types of residences, street scenes, sporting events, any particular, scenic attractions close by, etc., etc. " Some centres have other bodies undertaking this publicity work, but, where this is not the case, it appears to us to be a subject for Chamber of Commerce action, and as such we put it before you so that you might consider the suggestion and take part in any general action in this matter. "The British Empire Exhibition will provide an opportunity for such publicity as does not occur very frequently, and it is for us to take advantage of it, particularly as by so doing we appeal to those of British stock whom we would have as our future settlers, and we must see New Zealand extol its advantages so that it is not outdone by the other Dominions. Of course any action decided upon must be acted on quickly as there is not too much time to secure funds, and then to get ready publicity matter which would have to leave New Zealand early in the New Year. We commend this matter of local propaganda to your Chamber's consideration, and would be glad to hear whether you will also be proceeding in this matter. We shall also be pleased to let you have any further information that we are able to give." The secretary said if a scheme of issuing booklets was favoured It, would mean finance. The last booklet prepared for Te Awamutu was in 1913. Mr McArthur said the town and district well deserved greater publicity. People in many other districts knew very little about this district's resources and attractions.. Mr Spear said that as Te Awamutu was the nearest Borough to Arapuni propaganda about that district's great attractions could be included. Mr Downes said there was some wonderful country about the district, while the herds and stock were unexcelled. Mr Clark said Te Awamutu land compared more than favourably with average Taranaki country. More publicity should be given to it. Here was electric power radiated all over the country. It was unanimously decided to prepare and issue a booklet setting out attractions of the town and district, and a special committee consisting of Messrs Clark. Downes, McArthur, Hayes and Warburton was set up to compile and edit the booklet.