ADVERTISING ETHICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1936, Page 10

ADVERTISING ETHICS

“OBSOLETE GAS STOVE” SYDNEY, April 22. The ethics of displaying an old 1911 gas stove in the show windows of the County Council in George-street as part of its advertising campaign to emphasise “the greater value of electricity” over gas, were raised by Councillor Cramer at yesterday’s meeting of the County Council. Councillor Cramer, in submitting a motion that the council disapprove “the action of the general manager (Mr. Forbes Mackay) in permitting ‘the obsolete gas stove’ to be displayed in the council’s show’ windows, said it was not only not ethical, but it was also an insult to the opposition organisation—the gas company. “If we encourage that kind of advertising,” he added, “anything is likely to happen that will be detrimental to the council. . . . The gas companies object to this kind of advertising.” In seconding the motion, Councillor O’Dea said no retail firm in Sydney would adopt the type of advertising under discussion. Councillor McElhone: What is the council paying for the use of this gas stove? Councillor O’Dea: £2 a week.

The chairman (Councillor Lloyd, M.L.A.): That is not right. The gas stove is one of a number of articles which have been hired for £2 a week. Councillor McElhone said the action of the council’s officers was tantamount to “hitting below the belt.” Councillor Lloyd said the remarks made by councillors were unworthy of them, as the display in question constituted no reflection upon any company. Councillor McElhone: Why not put in a modern gas stove? The motion was amended to express the council’s disapproval of the display of “the obsolete gas stove,” and was carried.