UNSIGHTLY HOARDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1927, Page 16

UNSIGHTLY HOARDINGS.

CONTROL OF ADVERTISING,

BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT.

I>RESERVATION OF NATURAL BEAUTIES. (T.y Tfiegrapli. — Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Advertisements Regulation Act, which Mr. E. P. Lee (Oaniaru) has been given leave lo introduce, is not yet printed, but it is understood that it will make provision for the control of advertisements in public places by certain local authorities.

The bill would give County Councils power to make by-laws for the regulation of hoardings and other structures used for advertising, and it is expected that a clause will be contained giving county councils authority to restrict or even prevent the exhibition of advertisements in certain localities. Thus the amenities of a public reserve would not be affected injuriously and the nu'tural beauty of the landscape could be oreserved.

Knowing Mr. Lee's views on the subject, it is probable that his bill will include a clause providing power to prevent the erection of hoardings in places contiguous to a railway or highway if such hoardings were likely to shut out or spoil any view which might others vviso be enjoyed by traveller?. However, it seems likely that railway stations will be exempt from the provisions of the bill.

Hoardings already in existence will probably not come within the scope of the bill. Any by-law made by a county council will have to be confirmed by the Minister of Internal Affairs before it becomes operative, and the Minister may order an inquiry into the circumstances on receipt of objections. A penal clause is included in the bill, as at present drafted.

The measure is similar in many respects to an Act which is in operation in England, where many beautiful reserves and picturesque landscapes were "heinrr spoiled by the erection of unsightly hoardings. The bill refers in no way to newspaper advertising.

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