11

H.—2

The following figures will show how the war has affected our passenger-booking business, and will no doubt prove interesting : Numb-jr of Amount of Money Persons booked, received for Bookings. £ s. d. Year 1913-14 .. .. .. .. ... 191 2,952 18 il „ 191115 .. .. .. .. .. 156 2,281 I 5 „ 1915-16 .. .. .. .. ..135 2,052 13 5 Immigration. One of the results of the war has been the large falling-off in the number of foreign immigrants who have sailed from Sydney for New Zealand. About one hundred and fifty such foreigners were examined with a view to seeing if they could pass the education test as prescribed by the Immigration Restriction Act. Of this number ninety-three were successful, and consequently certificates were issued to them. In addition to these, a number of people having names of enemy origin, but who claimed to be British subjects, were also examined, and in twenty-two cases certificates were given. Advertising. During the year £207 3s. Bd. was spent on advertising the Dominion in New South Wales and Queensland. The advertisements were spread over a number of excellent channels, and included making and exhibiting 1,000 posters, advertising on electric flashlight signs, drop-curtains at vaudeville and picture theatres, ferry-steamers, and in newspapers and journals. In connection with the posters f. am pleased to report that arrangements were made to have a number of the posters permanently displayed in the offices of some of the leading shipping companies, the New South Wales Tourist and Immigration Office, and some of the leading hotels. These posters were suitably framed, and should be a standing advertisement for the Dominion for many years to come. In addition to the above we have received a good advertisement from a moving picture entitled " A Maori Maid's Love..'' This picture has been screened, all over Australia since December last. I am pleased to report, that arrangements were made during the year to have interesting paragraphs about New Zealand sport published, free of charge, in the Bulletin. Advantage has been taken of this medium whenever possible. During the year advantage was taken of every opportunity to advertise New Zealand by distributing literature, lending magic-lantern slides, photographs, and paintings, and also New Zealand Ensigns for patriotic displays. Work carried out on Behalf of other Government Departments. I am pleased to report that the amount of business performed for other Government Departments in New Zealand has increased more than 100 per cent., and as far as one can see there is every reason to believe that this branch of our duties will continue to increase in the future. The Departments for whom we have acted during the year include Cook Islands Administration, Customs, Defence, Education, Government Printing, Internal Affairs, Land and Income Tax, Marine, Mines, Native, Post and Telegraph, Prime Minister's Office, Public Trustee, Public Works, and State Fire Insurance. New-Zealanders visiting Sydney. During the year the office has been greatly availed of by visiting New-Zealanders, and in this respect I have pleasure in reporting that I have been, instrumental in assisting many of them in connection with their business and pleasure inquiries. Since the Commonwealth authorities made it necessary for all oversea travellers from Australia to have passports I have been kept busy helping those New-Zealanders who omitted to obtain their passports in the Dominion to secure same from, the Australian Government. W. R. Blow, New Zealand Government Agent, Sydney, N.S.W. The General Manager, Wellington, New Zealand.

Approximate Colt of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (960 copies), _i>.

Authority : Mabcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l6.

Price 6d. I