SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4846, 29 June 1925, Page 3

SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION

LOCAL INTEREST URGED.

“ A CHANCE TO BE ON THE MAP.”

The question of supporting the Auckland Proviniial Court at the South Seas Exhibition at, Dunedin will come before the next meetings of local bodies in this district. The organiser, Mr A. T. Brainsby, was in Paeroa on Thursday placing the proposals before the- Mayor and the county chairman. Interviewed. by our representative, Mr Brainsby said that he would like to correct any impression that it was a Dunedin exhibition. It was an advantage, perhaps, from the point, of view of advertising this province, that the exhibition Was at Dunedin, since it was a good principle in advertising to arrest attention where you were least known. INTEREST TO THIS DISTRICT. “What good will this scheme bring to this district?” Mr Brainsby was asked. , _ “That depends upon the way in which this district takes the matter up,” he. replied. “The whole object of .the exhibition is to follow up Wembley with an impressive demonstration of what New Zealand can offer to attract tourists and settlers.

“In regard to the display of resources and possibilities in each dis-trict,”-the organiser continued, “the

Government has entrusted that to the local bodies, providing special, legislation by which, for display and advertising at the exhibition, they may vote money out of ordinary revenue. Each district, therefore, has a unique opportunity of breadcasting informar tion concerning its progress and possibilities on a sound business, basis whiph will secure to it the maximum amount of effective publicity at the minimum of cost.”

"How is that going to be worked ?” “Well.” he explained, "in other parts provincial courts have been adopted as the best method. Southland, Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington have organised courts, and divided the cost among .the local bodies or ' each province. A meeting of representatives of local bodies held in Auckland last March resolved upon an Auckland provincial court, occupying 5000 feet, estimated to cost £6500. It found that this sum could be raised if the local bodies of the province would contribute sums approximating to l-50th of a penny upon their unimproved rating value. It was resolved to ask local bodies to do this, and to appoint representatives, who would become members of the General Provincial Committee, and would also form local and district committees to see that their own district was fully and properly represented in the court, and in the pamphlet to be issued.” “What kind of pamphlets will be issued: will there be separate one i for e.ach district ? ’ . "No. The committee was convinced that one thoroughly good illustrated booklet of tlie whole province would be more effective and through the help of each local committee it is hoped to get the information concerning each district complete and up-to-date. This is one reason why it is axmso. important that every local body should take the matter up and appoint its representatives, who, acting under the lead of the Mayor or county chairman, can form the local committee and invite the co-operation thereon of representatives from chambers of commerce, A. and P. associations,

and other progressive societies.”

“What success has the appeal met with ?” was the next Question. “At first, when letters were sent out, the response was slow,” answered Mr Brainsby, "Country bodies were indisposed to welcome appeals for money in view of the urgency of reading problems. When, however, the proposals were better known they received warm support and two counties have voted considerably .more

than their quota. Several boroughs ' have done the same. .On the ..other hand, some have voted a little less than their assessment at l-50th of a penny. Harbour boards, however, have given additional ''support, £lOO being voted by Whangarei and £250 by Auckland. Thames, Whakatane, and Gisborne -harbour boards have the proposal under consideration. The Auckland City Council voted £1000.” “You expect this court will attract tourists and settlers to the province?” “Yes. Not the court only, but the way it is followed - up by personal talks, .the distribution of the pamphlet, and subsequently keeping in touch

with those who have been impressed. The tourists will not only leave money in circulation as a result of their

istay amongst us, but they will go .back and be impartial witnesses to the genial climate, British spirit, and genuine openings which New Zealand can offer.” “But what is the use of attracting settlers when the land may not be suitable for settlement ?” ■'Well, I take it you don’t mean that these is no land suitable for settlement, but that either it is too high priced to offer a sound inducement; or, in the case of Government land, the for settlement are not what they might be. I can only say that .the Government is unlikely io back this exhibition with a view to attracting settlers and not feel the corresponding obligation to provide them with, increased opportunities. As to the need of settlement,. it seems to me that the sustained courage of county in making roads and carrying -heavy burdens of taxation has only one explanation, and that is their-underlying belief that they are providing for a much larger population; than* we carry now. Neither

Canada nor Australia can offer better conditions and opportunities than > New Zealand. But we want the right sort, the thrifty sons of British soil and British Stock, and there is no better defence of this fair country against the invasion of undesirable

European and Asiatic immigrants than to twcure its occupation and development in the- hands of our people.” ... -