The primary function of the Empire Tour was to impress the party with the prosperity and economic potential of the Dominions. Kelsey reported on many visits to farms, agricultural colleges, research stations, industrial sites and commercial centres. As an engineer, he was particularly interested in mines, factories and power stations. The party also toured many sites of natural beauty as well as museums and galleries. Kelsey recorded his impressions of the people he encountered and their comments upon the social fabric of their communities. There are descriptions of travelling experiences on cruise ships ‘Arundel Castle’, ‘Aorangi’ ‘Demosthenes’ ‘Lancastria’ and railways. Photographs of Kelsey and his companions published in the local press have been tipped into his diaries.