11

H.—2

Work carried out on behalf ok other Government Departments. Practically every Department in New Zealand has made use of this office during the year under review, and, as far as one can see, this side of our work, which has increased wonderfully during the year, will continue to grow as the various Departments in New Zealand realize the benefits of having a Government representative in Sydney. General . The office has been greatly availed of by seekers of information relative to settlement in tha Dominion, Customs duties, War Regulations, legislation, and many other matters, and in each case the fullest particulars have been given. As in past years, advantage has been taken of every opportunity of keeping the Dominion before the Australian people, and advertising, by distributing literature, views, &c, the mainadvantages New Zealand holds out to the prospective settler and tourist. W. R. Blow, New Zealand Government Agent, Sydney, N.S.W. REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT AGENT, MELBOURNE. I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended the 31st March, 1917. Compared with 1916 passenger-bookings are as follows : For year ended the 31st March, 1916, £2,408; for year ended the 31st March, 1917, £914. Apart altogether from such obviating factors as the coal strike in the latter part of last year, the dislocation of the Melbourne to Bluff steamer service, and the Commonwealth regulations restricting the free egress of intending visitors to the Dominion and elsewhere, our monetary returns have been cut down by the shipping companies stopping altogether the issue of return tickets. This latter statement is absolutely incontrovertible, however much the other reasons quoted have affected the traffic, which, of course, is problematical The number of tours made out, although showing a reduction, has been very fair, all things considered ; and we have gone to a lot of trouble, where the southern trip was almost prohibitive, to send tourists round via Sydney and make an itinerary to fit in as well as we could under the circumstances. It is gratifying in this connection that our efforts have been appreciated, as many letters of grateful thanks received go to prove. Under the general head of exploiting the Dominion's scenic and industrial attractions, the exhibitions since last August of the beautiful " kinemacolour " pictures loaned to us by the Department have loomed large, and I can confidently say that results, although deferred for the reasons mentioned above, will in the near future be commensurate with the time, trouble, and expense incurred. I have already presented a detailed report, accompanied by splendid Press notices which these displays evoked, and need not embroider on it further than to mention that these coloured films have been shown to upwards of thirty-five thousand of the best citizens in Victoria, .South Australia, and Tasmania, by invitation; besides which they have been exhibited to crowded houses on numerous occasions where a charge has been made. We have been instrumental in sending several returned soldiers to Rotorua under medical advice. Literature has been distributed far and wide—to many State schools in Victoria and South Australia; to Vancouver, 8.C.; to AVestern Australia (Dalgety's Limited, Perth, for distribution by them); and to many other parts; and lantern-slides have been loaned to Broken Hill and elsewhere. Advertising was not done extensively, but the balance of coloured posters from last year were exhibited at twenty-five railway-stations in Western Australia, fifty stations in Victoria, and on fifty city stands during the busiest months. Speaking generally, we have had quite a busy year, and I think have still further extended the field of our activities. It is impossible to enumerate all the subjects dealt with, although Defence matters, quotations and purchases for the Public Works Department, special information supplied to the Board of Trade as to ruling prices and market changes, passports and restricted emigration, Customs, and matters pertaining to the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce deserve mention. Inquiries have been general, and include some from British India, from, retiring Army men and Civil servants, who intended going in for fruitgrowing in New Zealand; a would-be settler from British Columbia ; also from farmers in Kyabram, Adelaide, Swan Hill, and other localities. H. J. Manson, Agent for the New Zealand Government.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (900 copies), £10.

By Authority : Mabciis F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—-1917.

Price 6d.]