NEW ZEALAND’S NEED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4345, 21 November 1921, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND’S NEED.

MORE PUBLICITY ABROAD. OBSERVATIONS BY WELLINGTON BUSINESS MAN. “If New Zealand .will not toot her own horn no one is going to toot it for her,” says Mr Frank Goldberg, the advertising expert, who has just returned from a trip round the world, seeking new ideas for his business, and incidentally telling people that there is a country called New Zealand in the southern Pacific that is worth a little attention. "In fact, New Zealand’s toot is so faint that no one hears it. That is a mistake. New Zealand is enjoying the best ‘conditions of any country in the world, and if that alone were only known thousands—ten of thousands—of people would come along to see for themselves and probably settle here for good. “New Zealand wants money, but it also wants people, for people means money to a country. Where do the Americans go who want a rest and sea . trip ?—to Europe. I paid £llO for a passage for myself and another £llO for my wife to cross the Atlantic, while the fare across the Pacific, occupying three times the number of days, 'costs £5O each. In my travels I have met thousands of people with money—some travelling for pleasure, others looking for new homes, and I atfl sure they could be induced to come out .this ,way if they knew anything at all. We have what the whole world is looking for —a country without extremes of heat or cold,, a fine climate, soil which produces the best of food, and scenery that is unrivalled in the world. “■How often Have w.e said to ourselves, ‘Would it not be nice to have some New Zealand butter or a bit of New Zealand lamb?’ when we have been staying at the best of hotels in America I tell you there is no food equal to the food we get here. And look at the difference —'24s a ' day at an hote 1 here, whereas I paid ten dollars (£2 10s) for bedroom and bath alone, without any meals, at the Commodore Hotel in New York, and twelve dollars at the Bla.ckstono in Chicago.

“We really have •something to give the world, but can’t do it until they hear of us. I took over a lot of slides and did my very best to make this little country known by talking at al 1 the rotary and advertising clubs I visited. I found that, generally speaking, New Zealand was unknown, but here and there one found that when it was known it was favourably known. That was probably through the contact of our men with American soldiers in France or England. Conditions in ’Frisco. “When I first reached ’Frisco from Wellington I found things very bad. Business had gone to pieces, prices were down, and everyone was com-

plaining. Business men did not want to talk tp ypu if! you did not want to buy for cash, and they were all so embarrassed financially that they would listen to almost any offer. Factories were closed down, business stagnated, and there were many out of work, And still the cost of living was very high. This was the case, I found, right through America ; indeed, the conditions there weje much worse than I found them to be in England, though they are a creditor nation.

“After staying at several of the, larger cities I reached New York. They may have their Broadway and Coney Island, but if .there is a little more gaiety of a kind they’ve got nothing on New Zealand—they haven’t anything to shoyv us much, except how to advertise. i English Industries. | “England was in a turmoil when 1 arrived. The Irish question, the coal strike, and the industrial crisis spelt ( chaos.. It looked hopeless apd felt depressing. • Then the co,al strike collapsed, and within a week or two a complete change came over the scene. The industries got going again; men thrown out of work by the coal famine got back into harness,; business 'men perked up; public speeches be- : came brighter in tone; and right 1 along until when I left again in Aug- ■ ust there was a steady improvement. I Industrial England is down to it in grim earnest, .and it is grand to see 1 her going at it. She is seeking to rel cover her export trade, and she will J I do it. America has much tp learn !

still from Old England when it comes to handling the export trade. It is said that the financial centre of the world is New Yor.k. I think London has still something to say in the matter. Indeed, it was conveyed to me that the rate of exchange in favour of America, which has killed her export trade*, is convenient to England, and that it is not likely to alter greatly until England is ready for it. Whether. this is so I cannot say, but they do not like England in America. “The change for the better in the conditions in England I found reflected in America on my return. Labour troubles were decreasing and workers were realising that they must render efficient service, notwithstanding the reduction in wages. The pending Disarmament Conference in Washington is regarded. as a factor in the commercial conditions of the world. If some sort of a workable agreemen L . is readied, in the direction of a reduction ,of armaments on the part of the principal nations, it is considered that it will go a long way towards stabilising trade.”