AGAEST HORDING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 93, 21 April 1939, Page 4

AGAEST HORDING

WIDE. SUPPORT

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

"We are getting quite a lot of support througnout the'country-for our campaign against' advertisement hoax aings," said the president of the Wellington Beautifying Society (Captain S. Holm) at the monthly meeting of the society last night. ,

The following circular prepared by the secretary (Mr. D,., R. Porter) for distribution to beautifying societies throughout New Zealand was approved:—-

"For some time past this society has been working for. the removal of the billboards and hoardings which-deface our scenic highways. . • :

"The position has Decome steadily worse in and around Wellington, mainly through the erection of new hoardings by the ttailway Department. No >•

doubt sn your own district a similar position obtains. , ..

"It is felt'that the only effective means of limiting and finally abolishing these disfigurements, is by the steady,growth of public opinion against the proprietors and advertisers who are responsible.

j "Accordingly this society is coa&i municating with your .society and all kindred bodies who are interested in preserving our scenery in order to give publicity through the Press and in other ways to the need for the limitation and abolition of hoardings. W<s also hope to obtain the support of all beautifying '■ societies for the promotion of legislation which will help.to attain the desired, ends." r ARCHITECTS' SUPPOET. The move for abolition of the hoard* ings is supported by the Wellington branch of .the New Zealand Institute of Architects, which wrote to [ tha society as follows:—

"In your campaign for greater public amenity your society has corhmehted on the unsightliness of the majority of advertising hoardings, signsj seats, ahd; other disfigurements. This brahca of the* N.Z.1.A., in supporting those views in general, \ passed the following resolution at its last annual meeting:— "I^hat this meeting of the branch of the N.Z.I.A. strongly deprecates : the, spread .of adyertising matter in the streets of the cities:vpf; Ne\v: Zealand and in the countryside and suggests that a national campaign be inaugurated for the purpose of eliminating this practice in the interests of retaining the beauties of town and country.' -

"It should be noted that a national campaign is suggested and it is on this aspect that I have been instructed to approach you.

"It is suggested that'your society should be the leading force* and should seek the support of such 4other bodies as the Chamber of Commerce, the New Zealand Institute of Architects, the Automobile Association, the New Zealand Town Planning Institute, the Real Estate Institute, and other similar bodies."

At Mrs. Knox Gilmer's suggestion it was decided to write to the Automobile Association, expressing appreciation of its attitude towards hoardings. She said the way public .opinion was growing was rather gratifying.