BUSINESS FIRST.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17492, 28 August 1928, Page 5

BUSINESS FIRST.

VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS OF N.Z. GREAT NEWSPAPER READERS. "The New Zealander is a great newspaper reader. In Australia we are toid that the people of the Dominion can be reached more effectively through newspapers than probably any other people in the world." So said Mr F. 11. Moody, advertising manager for Australia and New Zealand for the Vacuum Oil Co. Pty., Ltd., who expressed his views on advertising to a. Dominion representative at Wellington.

"We are always being told that NewZealand has a great newspaper-reading public," added Mr Moody, "and when one compares the number of newspapers printed in any of the Australian States with the Dominion that belief is certainly emphasised." When about to depart for New Zealand Mr Moody was informed that he would find the people of the Dominion very cold and reserved. That, however, had not been his experience. On the contrary, he had found them exceptionally kind and courteous, but very keen business people. "I do not know if it is due to temperament, climate, or both, but it appears to me that New Zealanders are most serious, and devote more time to business pursuits than the Australians," he said. "In the lugger cities of the Commonwealth, at least, sport is taken more seriously than in the Dominion, whereas New Zealand, with its great sporting community, places business first."

Hoturning to the subject of advertising, Mr Moody slated that he always knew New Zealand as a country famed for its scenic attractions and sport But he did not know that it was such a prosperous and progressive country. That, he conl ended, was largely due lo the methods adopted lo advertise the Dominion abroad. The average visitor came to New Zealand expecting to sec a land of great forests, mountainous regions and lakes. Little was ever mentioned regarding the many great undertakings which arc being carried out in all parts of the Dominion. While it was without question a sportsman's paradise it was also a very important commercial nation, and the advertising matter prepared for overseas distribution should cover New Zealand's general development. Being associated with the oil industry, Mr Moody was particularly interested in the remarkable development of road transport. He said that motor transport was much more highly developed in New Zealand than in his own country. The roads, he thought, were largely responsible for that. While the streets of Australian cities were of j a very high standard, the country roads i left much to be desired, i la the Do- I minion he had found very satisfactory highways in both islands, which were by no means confined to the cities. "In Australia we have come to regard the average service car or taxi driver as a rough-and-ready kind of individual," he said, "but in New Zealand i have found that the driver of a motor vehicle is an efficient and courteous servant of the public. One of the outstanding impressions that j will remain with rnc is the high standard of organisation which characterises motor transport in, this country."