H.—2.

11

OVERSEAS AGENCIES.

Sydney, New South Wales. The Sydney Agent reports as follows :— " I regret having to report that the passenger-booking to New Zealand for the year was not quite up to the previous one, owing to the disturbed state of affairs in Australia. Much good work, however, was done in furnishing particulars of tours and sport. I feel sure the ensuing year will show a great improvement in this respect. The Department's booking system has received very favourable comment from all returned people who arranged their tours through this office. " During the year the New Zealand Association of New South Wales was formed, and used this office as their temporary headquarters. On Dominion Day they gave a luncheon to the Premier of New South Wales, which was attended by most of the leading citizens and was fully reported in the press. "At various times during the year New Zealand Ensigns, lantern-slides, framed pictures, and cinematographic films have been lent to various lecturers and institutions who wished to lecture on or advertise the Dominion, and in each case New Zealand has received a good advertisement. " I had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. E. C. Chichester on his arrival by air from England, on behalf of the New Zealand Government. " During the year the office pictures were overhauled and all obsolete ones replaced by new and up-to-date views. " Commercial Work carried out on behalf of other Government Departments.—l am very pleased to be able to report that other Government Departments have again this year made great use of the offices. As in past years, the work has principally consisted of buying and paying for Australian hardwood timber required for the Departments of Public Works, Post and Telegraph, and Railways, and for these Departments alone approximately £115,785 was spent. " General.—ln conclusion, lam pleased to report that the usefulness of the offices has been well recognized not only as a tourist agency, but as a general inquiry office, and that large numbers of people, both Australians and visiting New-Zealanders have frequently made use of same." Melbourne, Victoria. The Melbourne Agent in his report states :— "We have kept in step with local movements to promote travel, knowing full well that all activity in this direction must necessarily benefit New Zealand. In most countries a world-wide bid is being made for the tourist, and Australia has joined in the quest. An organization, known as the Australian National Travel Association, has been formed for the purpose, and a sum of money close on £100,000 has already been raised. Of this it is proposed to spend £20,000 a year for five years on publicity alone. Specially selected men are to be sent to America and England to assist in the campaign. The committee of four appointed to control the affairs of the association is a particularly strong one, and is headed by Mr. Harold Clapp, chief of the Victorian Railway Commissioners, with a representative each of hotels, shipping companies, and commercial houses as his companions in office. Its headquarters are in Melbourne, and no opportunity is being missed to make its influence felt. Evidence of this was seen in the magnificent success that was made of the s.s. " Malolo's " visit. Through our close contact with this association we were able at this point to supplement the steps that were being made to give those on board this ship a fitting reception on arrival in New Zealand. " The methods we have adopted to give publicity to the attractions we have to offer have been varied and effective. The exhibition of the beautiful pictures supplied by the Publicity Department, depicting our scenic and other resources, at the Motor Exhibition, the attendance at which numbered 100,000 ; in the Kodak front window, Collins Street; the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau's central window, and afterwards distributed through specially selected hotels, golf clubs, &c., stirred the imagination to the fullest degree. " More arresting still have been our films which have been screened at the above-mentioned exhibition, the theatres, and in public schools. Through the courtesy of Dr. Brooke-Nicholls they were shown in the latter institutions, with explanatory remarks by him, to thousands of children and their parents, and, as he is an attractive speaker and a prominent educationist, his comments would undoubtedly leave a vivid impression on the minds of the rising generation. " Supplementary to these larger displays, the standard and Kodascope films have been utilized extensively, with telling effect, in the suburban churches, the Ski-ing Club, to clubs of various kinds, and to selected groups of people. " Our publicity officers, Messrs. R. M. Firth and W. P. Barnett, have been energetic in their efforts to promote travel and have accomplished much useful work in their respective spheres. Their outside work among the hotels and the following-up of prospective visitors to the Dominion, as well as their trips on board the steamers to New Zealand, have led to increased bookings. The visits they have paid to the States of Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia have had a stimulating effect on our activities in Australia, and have further strengthened our connection with the tourist organizations of these States. These visits have established a firm basis for future operations in co-operation with those similarly interested. With this in view, agents have been appointed to handle bookings on a commission basis in a number of the larger towns.

3 —H. 2