FOR THE EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1924, Page 8

FOR THE EXHIBITION

ADVERTISING NEW ZEALAND FINE PUBLICITY WORK. By invitation of the Acting Publicity. Officer, Mr. A. H. Messenger, a "Post" representative attended-during the weekend a private screening of films of New Zealand attractions/of scenery, of industries, and of Native and European life, winch the Government has had compiled for the British Empire Exhibition. There is no question about the quality of the pictures, they are distinctly good. The photography is excellent, bright, contrasty work, the subjects are handled "m really artistic fashion, and the titling always good and in some sections excellent, the editor, Mr. Donald M'Donald, having chosen his words to joke quietly with his readers overseas as well as to inform them. A few titlings here and there in sections not yet revised by the editor might with profit be touched up a little, and that will, no doubt, be done before the films are Ehipped away. The pictures shown last night covered a fair range of New Zealand interest, and are quite the equal of first-rate scenic or industrial films brought into New Zealand from overseas, and indeed it is a pity that young New Zealand should not be given an opportunity of such speedy and informative travel in their own country as these splendid pictures afford. Publicity, like charity, might well begin at home,. but in; this instance the time factor must be taken into account. Some of the' pictures may, however, be shown to school children before being sent to London. „ The first series shown were those taken by a Government party, Messrs. J M'Donald, Elsdon Best, and J. C. Andersen,- who some months ago visited the East Coast and Gisborne .districts ta obtain records of Maori life and customs, and a fine record it is, within the limits of minutes instead of half-hours, for not alone are customes, dances, etc., depicted, but the camera man chose his types with fine judgment. His Maoris are Maoris. The Native industries hakas, and the like, are very good, but the poi dance shown is disappointing, for the poi moved too quickly for the camera.

Then follows, or perhaps will precede in the finally edited film, a pictorial in vitation to young men and young women of the Old Country to come to New Zealand, and carve for themselves a home from the virgin bush. Artistically it is very fine, but not all who gaze upon the sheet are artistic, and the story of the. growth of a proud city—told within the-space of five minutes—from; the devastation of a burnt bush clearing may be misread, and the invitation lose its attractiveness in the face of> the vivid impression given of the year-long struggle with untamed bush country, the heaviest of the heavy. Perhaps it is that the film is too artistic. • Again, the suggestion is rather than the newcomer is welcome to New Zealand, not merely- in the sense of hearty handshakes, but also to i such area as may take his fancy, that land is free and for all; but that is not so. All New Zealand knows that land is no longer given away with a slap on the back and a. smile from the donor, but the picture may suggest otherwise. An amendment of .the; titling would probably put tnis right—perhaps, however,' at the expense of art.

The photographer has done well witn the weird wonders of Wairakei and Eotorua, and has produced pictures tn.-it are v; de.finitely alluring ..and .attractive, whick'task many have essayed and few have truly carried tnrough. A Kauri forest .section is equally fine, the camera'wan, .and no less the editor, having handled a picturesque arid magnificent subject in broad and grand style, telling, bushmen types, and the "tripping" of the pent-up logging dam to turn the dry creek bed to a roaring torrent swinging giant logs to the sea and the mill. Two other fine industrial sections are included in this first budget of New Zealand films; of a bacon-curing factory at Hawera, and hapuka fishing in Cook Strait. Of both these thoroughly interesting studies nave been made, facts set out as facts without exaggeration, yet added •to quite brightly by the wit and penmanship of , the film editor. A Tauranga section makes much of the sport of yacht Tacing, and advertises lauranga splendidly, and \ lest other townsmen should be jealous, the Depart ment is now preparing a second series which will include views of the four centres and many other Dominion towns, as well as glimpses of other industries, scenic wonders, north and south, and of typically New Zealand features which are difficult of written description, yet winch upon the screen convey the truest impression of how our country lives and progresses from day to day The Department also has on hand a great range of "still" pictures, the tinting work of which, carried out by a member of the Departmental staff is very well done. It, is the intention to use the best of these for the illustration of brief chatty talks on the Dominion at the exhibition. '

The Department has done well in this 7Ti °. Its Pl^k'ty w°d£i but it has still far to go, for the programme so far ?fmn f °. vt f P. r. ovide? f°r no less than 30,000 feet of film, which will share with film from other British Dominions a special theatre at the Exhibition