N.Z. PUBLICITY

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1929, Page 7

N.Z. PUBLICITY

PROGRESS IN AMERICA

AIR JULIAN FOSTER’S TOUR

AUCKLAND, Nov. 4

“America is showing fa,r more in- ' terest in Now Zealand, its trade, and 1 its scenic attractions than was the case when I was there four years ago,” said Mr Julian Foster, United States Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, who returned by the Aorangi from a visit to the United States. “New Zealand publicity is far more effective than it was and people are much better acquainted with this country than they used to he. They realise that New Zealand is a stable country with a backbone, and view it is a customer possessing trade possibilities.” The feeling towards Britain and'the Dominions was never better in America, said Mr Foster, the recent visit of Ah* Ramsay MacDonald having done much to cement the bonds of friendship. “I was in the Western States when Mr MacDonald arrived,” ho remarked, “and his visit was acclaimed from one end of the country to the other ns one of the greatest single acts in the interests of world peace that had ever taken place in America. The striking thing was the unanimity of the American Press on this subject-. “I saw the President, Mr Hoover, while I was in Washington,” said Mr Foster. “I had the honour of presentin'? him with a beautifully autographed book of New Zealand views, the gift of Sir Joseph Ward. Mr Hoover told me he hoped to have an opportunity when the cares of office were over of visiting New Zealand and Australia- and seeing those countries again. Hfei had been in Now Zealand, of course. I think it was some 25 years ago when he cairoe here as a mining expert, although he spent more of his time on the gold shields in Australia. He still has many happy memories of both countries. “With the exception of the Stock Exchange, which is in a very shakv condition, America -is wonderfully prosperous and business has been excellent throughout the year. Steel is good, and the automobile industry has attained an. extraordinary high- standard of production. As far as. the crisis on the Stock Exchange is concoucerned, there was undoubtedly too much' wild speculation, with the* result that artificial values were created. I should say the scare will have a beneficial effect ,ip the long run as it should he’p to bring the position hack to something like normal.” During his visit to- • 40 States, Mi Foster gave addresses oil - New Zealand; dismissing its pastoral till'd .industrial developtflmiti and its sce'ttk'resources, and showing New Zealand films, particularly those dealing with the sheep and cat'tle industries, “I spoke so much about New Zealand that I was always being taken for a New Zealand Government publicist,” said Mr Foster. “The idea of showing New Zealand films on the passenger liners plying between America and New Zealand and Australia is an excellent one. Several such film' were shown on the present trip from Vancouver, and I know from conversation with passengers that several of them decided in consequence to sta> in the Dominion before proceeding to Australia.”