AGY-1680 | Intelligence Department (1905-1908) Immigration and Tourist Bureau (1908-1919)

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In 1904 the Premier convened a meeting of Heads of Departments to discuss means which might be adopted to publicise the products, resources and scenic attractions of New South Wales. A recommendation of the meeting was the creation of an Intelligence Department. In 1905 the Intelligence Department was established "with very multifarious duties, all designed to make the attractions and possibilities of the State better known at home and a abroad, and to promote settlement on the land and to encourage immigration" (1).

The major responsibilities of the Intelligence Department were immigration and tourism. The Department was to co-operate with the Agent-General in London to control the collection and dissemination of reliable information about the State. It was also authorised to render advice and facilities to immigrants and other intending settlers (2), advertise tourist resorts and assist people who wished to visit them, both locally and abroad (3).

In 1908 the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council approved the designation of the Intelligence Department being altered to "Immigration and Tourist Bureau" (4). The functions of the Immigration Bureau were to:
* control assisted immigration and secure employment for selected and unassisted immigrants (this included boys assisted under the Dreadnought Scheme),
* accept nominations by residents of the State of relatives of the first degree,
* collect money due for passages under the deferred payment scheme, or in repayment of advances in London from the Assistant Superintendent or the Dreadnought Trustees,
* prepare literature setting forth the potential of the State for the settler, and
* supply information in response to inquiries , and meet incoming vessels and give advice to passengers (5).

The functions of the Tourist Bureau were to:
* disseminate information relative to the tourist attractions and facilities for travel,
* prepare literature and advertisements for that purpose,
* prepare itineraries for individuals or groups,
* control Hotel Kosciusko, Caves Accommodation Houses, and various cave systems,
* place literature on all outgoing vessels, and
* arrange for the display of exhibits from the State at exhibitions overseas (6).

During World War I, the staff of the Immigration and Tourist Bureau assisted with the work of the State War Council and the Amelioration Committee (7).

On 1 January 1919 the Bureau divided into two separate agencies. The Immigration section was transferred to the control of the Minister for Labour and Industry, and the Tourist Bureau was transferred to the control of the Colonial Secretary (8).

Endnotes
(1) Concise Guide to the NSW State archives, p.68.
(2) "The establishment of an Intelligence Department in NSW-proceedings at a conference in the Premiers Room, 17 May 1905", p.9.
(3) ibid., p.12.
(4) NSW Government Gazette, 1908, Vol.4, p.5887.
(5) Immigration and Tourist Bureau; Papers relating to Annual Reports of the Bureau, 1910-19, SR Ref: 5/3499B.
(6) ibid.
(7) ibid.
(8) NSW Government Gazette, 1919, Vol.1, p.457.