BIG PUBLICITY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1928, Page 8

BIG PUBLICITY

BENEFIT TO AUSTRALIA. DELEGATION TO SCOTLAND. AUCKLAND, Oct. 8. Details of one of the greatest publicity campaigns which has ever benefited Australia were given by Mr A. Gilchrist, manager of. a party ,of 628 Australians and Scottish birth or descent which recently comprised a. delegation to Scotland. Mr Gilchrist is returning to Australia by the Niagara; accompanied by 11.8 members of the party.

Mr Gilchrist stressed the point that the trip from every point of view had "been an outstanding success. It had resulted in an increased demand for Australian goods in Great Britain, blithe personally wished to take a larger outlook, and hope Unit it had helped the cause “Our members came from every part of Australia and provided a sample of the ordinary Australian public,” Mr Gilchrist said. “The ordinary man. in the street does not think much of the British Empire. He is chiefly concerned with that particular part of it to which he belongs. But I think we showed the people in Great Britain something of the meaning of Imperialism, and in so doing benefited not only Australia, but also every part of the Empire.” The most tangible object of the tour was to place Australian produce into the homes of Scottish people. It was not to encourage emigration to Australia. Scottish people were told that the country districts in Australia were not yet ready to absorb immigrants, hut that when Australian markets were extended, and Scottish people could help to extend them, then Australia could take more young men and give them ample opportunities in life. This point was driven home in a variety oi ways, and Mr Gilchrist spoke to at least 2d,000 schoolchildren.

During the trip, shop-window dis plays of Australian produce were organised in every town the delegation visited, and the Australian Government Publicity Office offered special prizes. This aroused so great an interest that grocers who had never before stocked Australian produce obtained supplies, and were now maintaining them in answer to a definite demand created by the mission. Two special trains were used to convey the mission through Scotland, and to each of these trains a special luggage v was attached, fitted up as a travelling exhibition. Over 250,000 people passed through these cars in Scotland, inspecting exhibits of Australian produce and purchasing small samples.