AWAKE! TIMARU.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 9 May 1925, Page 11

AWAKE! TIMARU.

VIGOROUS PUBLICITY REQUIRED. AN EXPERT OPINION In view of the suggested amalgamation of the Timaru x'ubhcity Association and ’Chamber of Commerce', the need for progressive publicity becomes a matter or general interest: Inns Timaru does require a liilip in tins direction was strongly urged by Mr Jtnc Bennett, a 'JLima.ru nuy, wiio arrived here this week after an absence of' eleven years, during wluen ne nas specialised in commercial journalism. “I was pleased to notice that Timaru has a Publicity. Association” remarked Mr Bennett to a “Herald,” representative, “for a number of years I .was engaged in the compilation of special district and town supplements tor the ‘Auckland Stpr,’ and I am in a position to say tnac the adyor Using of a district’s potentialities and attractions is a very great factor m its prosperity. The North Island has gained evident- advantages in development in recent years by the vigorous and varied nature of its publicity. Business people rccogniser ■, unit oy supporting worthy ' newspaper activity and special- publications, a benefit is gained both directly and indirectly, furthermore, such publicity of a district helps -to cultivate in the poopm of that district a keen sense of local pride. I have often ciepioreu the groat lack of publicity, until during the last two years, of the South Is),and. Caroline Bay is a most oeauinni beach, but this district- has ■ many other wonderful tourist assets Wincn Can be proclaimed.”SOME POINTS EMPHASISED “When I recall the wonderful downs and pasturo lands of .tins part of tno provincOj its ideal .motoring country, its splendid picnic resorts, rivers capable of providing mcompuraoio align tig to sportsmen from other parts of the Dominion and from overseas, and when I still know that Timaru in South Canterbury is the real gateway to tins Dominion’s chief mountaineering resort, Mt. Cook and the glaciers, it encourages a belief that Timaru is rather apathetic in tho' matter of telling the world. I have often wondered why Timaru lets Christchurch got away with the inference that that city is tho quickest and best route to Mt. Cook. If you want people to coiuo here, spend their money and perhaps stay here, you must reach out and advise thorn what they caii seen anu enjoy. Competition in publicity nowadays demands-this. All interests must participate. I am convinced that by enterprising advertising Timaru can he made a veritable hub of traffic. Tho rich productivity of the district, and the facilities onoretl by ilio port anemia not be neglected. Tho old-fashioned modesty or idea that the beauties of a place will advertise themselves is relegated to tho limbo of forgotten 1 tilings. On removing to Duneuin sm.io months ago I found that the Exhibition City had no booklet that dealt im-u mo city generally, so I formed one with the title ‘Charms of Dunedin.’ The Exhibition Directors sent that boipklot to all parts of the world and it is gratifying to learn that tho clfort has merited Towards in the shape of many more inquiries about ihmedin. In fact, a taxi-man informed me a few days ago that ho was motoring around tho city a party of five pooplo uvlio wore given on the Sydney boat one of theso illustrated booldots. That party had Uooi-dcd ‘before leaving Australia to land at Wellington, proceed to-Auck-land, and visit llotorua, and return to Australia via Auckland. I thus know what a little publicity can accomplish. “With thousands of people coming south this year and early next year jfor tlio Exhibition,” concluded Mr. Bennett-. “Timaru has a isplcndid chance to make its district much more widely known. I hope the local bo-dies and commercial people will rise to the occasion.” _

It may be added that Mr Bennett was originally on tiro literary staff or the “Herald,”