AGY-5134 | New South Wales Government Office, New York

Full description

The New South Wales Office, New York, was one of several overseas offices established to represent the state’s interests in foreign countries. In the years following the end of World War II, senior Government officers and a number of leading industrial executives recommended New South Wales have a presence in the United States. Realisation of the increasing significance of the part the United States and Canada could play in assisting to accelerate the industrial growth of New South Wales led to the establishment of a New York Office. (1) The then Premier, the Hon. J.J. Cahill, stated the Office was established “to ensure that the oldest and most industrialised State of the Commonwealth received a due share of American publicity and investment”. (2)

The New York office was opened on 21 March 1958 following visits by Departmental staff to North America and Europe. (3) The Office was located in Canada House at 680 Fifth Avenue, New York, and initial staff comprised the Director of the Secondary Industries Division of the Premier’s Department, a clerical officer and a receptionist-typist.

The Charter of the New York Office was:
i) to follow up the likely possibility of attracting new industries to New South Wales;
ii) to provide an information service for manufacturers and industrialists interested in investment in New South Wales;
iii) to arrange appropriate publicity for the State;
iv) to stress generally the advantages of New South Wales as a desirable field for American investment; and
v) to conduct a Tourist and Information Centre. (4)

The Premier decided to raise the status of the Executive of the New York Office to Commissioner and in August 1958 Dr A. Denning, Director of Technical Education, was appointed as Commissioner for New South Wales in the United States of America. (5)

During August 1958, the activities of the New York Office were expanded to include a Travel and Information Centre to disseminate travel and general information relating to New South Wales. The Centre was opened on the ground floor with an “attractive window facing Fifth Avenue in which displays designed to encourage interest” in New South Wales were mounted. (6) In April 1958, a Departmental officer was appointed Research and Economic Officer to assist the Commissioner in the preparation of data and to follow up discussions already commenced by the Commissioner with American industrialists.

The New York Office liaised with North American companies seeking information about New South Wales on topics such as potential licensees for franchises in Australia, New South Wales companies licensing North American companies to produce Australian designed goods, and general investment opportunities. (7) From the 1970s, the New South Wales Offices overseas appear to have been referred to as New South Wales Centres and in 1971, a suite of offices was leased in the World Trade Centre in New York and occupied from 1 May 1972. (8)

The New South Wales Office, New York closed in 1982, and the position of Industrial Promotions Officer was transferred to the Los Angeles Office. (9)

ENDNOTES
1. Progress: NSW Public Service Board Journal, vol.2, no.2, February 1963, p.30.
2. loc. cit.
3. NSW Public Service Board, Annual Report, 1958, p.22.
4. Progress: NSW Public Service Board Journal, vol.2, no.2, February 1963, p.31.
5. NSW Public Service Board, Annual Report, 1959, p.41.
6. loc. cit.
7. Concise Guide to the State Archives (P-R): Premier’s Department, J, Overseas Offices.
8. NSW Public Service Board, Annual Report, 1972, p.62.
9. NSW Premier’s Department, Annual Report, 1982, p.15.